Bishkek, Dec. 10, 2025. /Kabar/. On December 9, Minister of Economy and Commerce Bakyt Sydykov met with Rémy Duflo, Head of the European Union Delegation to Kyrgyzstan.
According to the ministry, during the meeting, Bakyt Sydykov congratulated Rémy Duflo on assuming the position of Head of the European Union Delegation to Kyrgyzstan and expressed confidence that his extensive professional experience will contribute to further strengthening and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the European Union.
"The figures demonstrate stable positive growth trend in trade turnover between the European Union and Kyrgyzstan. Since 2021, mutual trade volumes have increased two and a half times. By the end of 2024, trade turnover exceeded USD 837 million," the minister noted.
The head of the ministry provided a detailed overview of the key priorities of the National Development Program of the Kyrgyz Republic until 2030, including industrialization, development of green energy system, the formation of regional hub, and the promotion of agriculture and tourism. He also discussed tax incentives for investors and emphasized that one of the ministry's main focuses is supporting small and medium-sized businesses, expressing hope for European assistance in this area.
For his part, Rémi Duflo, recounting his first visit to Kyrgyzstan in the early 1990s, noted that he is well acquainted with the country.
"Following President Sadyr Zhaparov's working visit to Belgium last year, Enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement was signed between Kyrgyzstan and the European Union. Upon completion of the ratification procedures, additional opportunities for expanding cooperation will open up," he noted.
During the meeting, the parties also discussed prospects for expanding trade and economic ties under the GSP+ regime, emphasizing the significant potential of this mechanism and the importance of its most effective use by the Kyrgyz Republic.
For reference: GSP+ (Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus) is a special trade regime of the European Union that provides the Kyrgyz Republic with preferential access to the EU market.