Launched in 2013 under the leadership of the People’s Republic of China, the Belt and Road Initiative is a global infrastructure and economic cooperation project. It is a comprehensive initiative that aims to strengthen China’s economic ties with neighboring and distant countries, develop infrastructure, increase trade, share energy and resources, and promote global cooperation by building a network spanning the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa. Announced in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the project is rooted in the history of China’s ancient Silk Road trade routes and has attracted worldwide attention.
Kyrgyzstan is an independent state in Central Asia and due to its geographical location, it serves as a strategic bridge between China and the countries of Central Asia and Eurasia. As China’s neighbor, Kyrgyzstan is an important transit point, especially in terms of road and rail connections. In this context, the country is an important part of the road economic belt. The Belt and Road Initiative promotes the growth of Kyrgyzstan’s economy, provides opportunities for regional cooperation and carries out various activities aimed at increasing economic ties.
Under the Belt and Road Initiative, significant investments have been made in Kyrgyzstan’s infrastructure. These projects include the construction of new and modernized railway lines, highways and ports. These infrastructure projects are aimed at strengthening the country’s trade and economic ties with neighboring countries and facilitating inter-regional trade by increasing the country’s transport capacity. Kyrgyzstan has participated in many cooperation projects within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative to increase cooperation in the field of energy. Kyrgyzstan, which has a high hydroelectric potential, especially supports power generation and transmission projects. In this way, the country aims to contribute to its economy through energy exports and share its energy resources with other countries in the region.
The Belt and Road Initiative contributes to Kyrgyzstan’s regional and global trade. By strengthening economic ties with China and other countries, it aims to boost the country’s exports and attract foreign investment. Trade and investment activities under this project will help Kyrgyzstan become more economically competitive. Aiming to become the logistics and transportation hub of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan has taken steps in line with the Belt and Road Initiative. For example, the country participates in activities that promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges, as well as cooperation and exchange programs in areas such as education, tourism and cultural events.
Kyrgyzstan is developing cooperation and signing important agreements with its neighbors under the Belt and Road Initiative. Thanks to the Transportation and Trade Agreements signed with China, the pioneer of the Belt and Road Initiative, Kyrgyzstan has implemented its infrastructure projects with China and developed its commercial capacity. In particular, highway projects with China in the field of transportation and railway projects between Kyrgyzstan and the eastern regions of China have facilitated access to trade and connectivity points between the two countries. Kyrgyzstan has signed cooperation agreements with Russia within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. These agreements aim to improve transportation and trade routes, strengthen energy cooperation and economic ties. Through cooperation with Russia, Kyrgyzstan will have easier access to the markets of Western Eurasia and Europe.
The Border Crossing and Trade Agreements with Kazakhstan and other cooperation agreements are also part of the Belt and Road Initiative. Thus, road connections will be strengthened, efficient use of border gates will increase and trade and economic relations between the two countries will be strengthened by facilitating trade.
Kyrgyzstan signed Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreements with Uzbekistan, another neighbor, as part of the Belt and Road Initiative to increase trade and strengthen economic cooperation, and signed Energy Cooperation Agreements with Tajikistan for the sharing of energy resources and energy trade, focusing on the energy field. Kyrgyzstan also cooperates with other Belt and Road Initiative members and partners. In particular, it is strengthening its regional influence and links with Central Asian countries, Azerbaijan, Turkey and other Asian and European countries through partnerships. In addition, through its partnership with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Kyrgyzstan has secured the loans and support needed to finance infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Kyrgyzstan is supportive of the Belt and Road Initiative and aims to make the best use of it. This initiative is considered by Kyrgyzstan as an important strategic opportunity as the project offers economic, infrastructural and commercial opportunities and strengthens regional cooperation. Kyrgyzstan follows a careful policy on the sustainability, economic efficiency and environmental impact of projects under the Belt and Road Initiative and facilitates the country’s integration into the regional and global economy, taking into account its national interests and the welfare of its people.
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Kyrgyzstan is developing cooperation and signing important agreements with its neighbors under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Ayşe Süreyya PEKÇETİN