On 19 November, the team of the Secretariat of the Business Development and Investments Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic took part in the two-day Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Business Forum, held on 18–19 November in Bishkek.

The forum brought together government representatives from CAREC member countries, international financial institutions, private sector leaders and investors to discuss regional connectivity, logistics, digital trade and emerging investment opportunities.

The event was attended by the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers – Chief of Staff of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Adylbek Kasymaliev, and President of the Asian Development Bank, Masato Kanda.

In their remarks, they highlighted the country’s strong economic growth, the rise in investment flows, strengthening macroeconomic indicators, and the implementation of major infrastructure projects — from logistics corridors to the modernisation of transport hubs. Special emphasis was placed on the objectives of the National Development Program of the Kyrgyz Republic until 2030.

The Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bakyt Sydykov, moderated the key sessions of the second day, focusing on the development of the Kyrgyz Republic’s regional potential. He presented the main directions of the National Development Program, underscoring priorities in industrialisation, logistics, digital trade, green energy and the advancement of human capital.

Focus on logistics, digital trade and investments

Discussions during the forum covered:

• the formation of the Kyrgyz Republic as a regional logistics hub;
• digitalisation of trade, development of the “single window” system, cross-border data exchange;
• opportunities for PPPs and private capital mobilisation;
• development of key transport corridors, including the China–Kyrgyz Republic–Uzbekistan railway and the North–South highway;
• mechanisms for stimulating investment and new directions for export growth.

Participants noted that the country continues to demonstrate stable momentum: economic growth has exceeded 9% for four consecutive years, investment in fixed capital is rising, and the labour market is generating tens of thousands of new jobs.

The Secretariat held productive consultations with representatives of ADB, business associations, international companies and government institutions of CAREC countries, discussing further cooperation in reforms, development of logistics corridors and investment initiatives.

Significance of the forum

The CAREC Business Forum 2025 served as an important platform for promoting the investment potential of the Kyrgyz Republic and shaping coordinated approaches to the development of transport, logistics, digital trade and regional integration.

The Secretariat will continue its systematic work to strengthen dialogue, support projects and advance initiatives aimed at improving the country’s business environment and investment climate.