A meeting between the business community and the British Trade Commissioner took place in Bishkek

A meeting was held in Bishkek between representatives of the business community and the UK Trade Commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Kenan Poleo, British Consul General in Istanbul, with the participation of Philip Sidenham, Head of Export for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

The meeting, organised by the International Business Council in conjunction with the British Embassy in Kyrgyzstan in the format of a business breakfast, was devoted to bilateral trade issues and brought together representatives of the mining, financial, construction and engineering and design industries.

«Mutual visits by official and business delegations from the two countries create a basis for intensifying trade and, in the future, for joint investment projects. We are pleased to note that such visits have become more frequent, which has already been reflected in the growth of trade and economic cooperation», — said Askar Sydykov, Co-Chair of the Kyrgyz-British Business Council and Executive Director of the International Business Council, opening the meeting.

Trade Commissioner Kenan Poleo noted that the meeting with the Kyrgyz-British Business Council was an important part of his first visit to Kyrgyzstan, emphasising that the council's activities to promote business cooperation between the two countries are fully in line with the UK government's objectives.

«Relations between our countries are growing stronger, and we have already achieved significant results this year. A striking example of this is the successful placement of Kyrgyzstan's first-ever sovereign external bond on the London Stock Exchange last month. The £180 million investment by Welsh company Concrete Canvas is further confirmation of this trust and long-term partnership», — said Kenan Poleo.

The Trade Commissioner expressed confidence that a robust legal system and reliable guarantees for business will open up new opportunities for attracting international investment, and noted that he was leaving Kyrgyzstan with optimism, looking forward to further strengthening the partnership between the two countries.

During the discussions, issues related to expanding practical cooperation were also raised, including initiatives to organise business delegations from Kyrgyzstan to the United Kingdom with the aim of establishing direct contacts and exploring market opportunities.