BISHKEK
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed willingness to boost cooperation in bilateral trade with Kyrgyzstan.
"Our trade volume has reached to $302 million with an increase of $12 million in 2012. We have the necessary political will to boost that figure to $1 billion," Erdogan told a joint press conference with President Almazbek Atambaev in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek.
Erdogan said a crowded delegation of Turkish businesspeople accompanied him on his visit, who he said were willing to make investments in Kyrgyzstan.
Erdogan also said Turkey was eager to improve cooperation also in agriculture, mining and tourism.
Trade volume of one billion USD could be reached
We discussed what could be done in the political and economic spheres with Kyrgyzstan, Erdogan said.
Our two countries share the same will to raise bilateral trade volume to one billion USD, Erdogan stated.
"We have come to Kyrgyzstan with a group of more than 100 Turkish businesspeople. We could reach a trade volume of one billion USD if our businesspeople work together," Erdogan said.
Reminding that the Turkish contractors' sector was the world's second biggest one after China, Erdogan said that Turkish contractors assumed 7,051 projects in all corners of the world worth a total of 246 billion USD.
Turkey and Kyrgyzstan share same vision
Erdogan said Turkey and Kyrgyzstan shared a same vision, and both countries were determined to boost friendship and strengthen cooperation.
"Kyrgyzstan's sadness is our sadness and their happiness is our happiness. We attach great importance to Kyrgyzstan's democratic stability, the continuation of its economic development and peace and tranquility," Erdogan said.
