В Атырау +17 
As part of his official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov took part in the Second Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan titled "The Role of Regions in the Development of Strategic Partnership". The 14th meeting of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz Intergovernmental Council will also take place in the city of Bishkek.
The event was attended by Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers – Head of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic Adylbek Kasymaliev, leaders of regions of both countries, in particular Almaty, Zhambyl, East Kazakhstan, Akmola, Karaganda regions, Zhetysu region, the cities of Almaty and Turkestan, as well as Issyk-Kul, Chuy, Talas, Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Naryn regions of Kyrgyzstan, representatives of government agencies, and business circles.
Issues of strengthening direct ties between regions and implementing joint projects in trade, investment, industrial, transport-logistics, and tourism spheres were reviewed. Special importance was attached to the development of sister-city relations between cities and regions of the two countries, expanding practical interaction, and establishing new partnership ties.
“Under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, we are consistently building a Just and Progressive Kazakhstan based on openness and constructive partnership with all countries. Such an approach creates favorable conditions for strengthening the economy, increasing investment attractiveness, expanding international cooperation, and creating the most favorable environment for business. We attach special importance to the comprehensive development of allied relations with fraternal Kyrgyzstan,” Olzhas Bektenov noted.
“Our bilateral cooperation has reached a fundamentally new level. We attach special importance to holding the second interregional forum, which is becoming an important mechanism for strengthening bilateral interaction. Chuy, Talas, and Issyk-Kul regions of Kyrgyzstan have traditionally close ties with Almaty and Zhambyl regions of Kazakhstan. At the same time, our interregional cooperation is not limited to border regions. Direct ties have been established between our cities and regions that are not adjacent to each other,” Adylbek Kasymaliyev said.
Kyrgyzstan is one of Kazakhstan's important trade partners. Following the results of 2025, the volume of bilateral trade grew by 33% and reached $2.4 billion. Since the beginning of the current year, this indicator has increased by another 20% compared to the same period last year. Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov emphasized that Heads of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Sadyr Japarov set the task of increasing bilateral trade turnover to $3 billion.
An important role in the further development of economic ties is assigned to border regions. The Almaty and Zhambyl regions of Kazakhstan border the Issyk-Kul, Talas, and Chuy regions of Kyrgyzstan. The length of the common state border is about 1.2 thousand km. Attention was focused on the development of the Zhambyl region as one of the key centers for cross-border trade and logistics. Located on its territory are 7 out of 8 checkpoints on the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border, with over 1 thousand enterprises involving Kyrgyz participation operating there. In addition, one of the promising joint projects is the Industrial Trade and Logistics Complex being implemented in the Zhambyl region.
Prospects for the development of transport and transit cooperation were reviewed. Following the results of 2025, the volume of rail transport between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan increased by 10% and reached 6.8 million tons. Over nine months of this year, 5.1 million tons of cargo were transported, which is 8.3% higher than the indicator for the same period last year. Positive dynamics persist in road transport as well: the volume of freight traffic by the end of last year grew by 37%, amounting to 3.7 million tons. An important step in simplifying transport procedures was the transition to electronic exchange of permits.
Significant potential was noted in the tourism sector. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan possess broad opportunities for developing joint routes in mountain, eco-, beach, and business tourism. Over 9 months of this year, mutual tourist flow exceeded 4 million people.
The parties confirmed their interest in further expanding direct ties between regions, developing joint manufacturing, trade, transport infrastructure, and tourism. The implementation of planned initiatives will contribute to strengthening the Kazakh-Kyrgyz strategic partnership and the sustainable economic development of the region.
Following the forum, documents aimed at expanding interregional cooperation and business ties were signed. In particular, on the development of sister-city ties between Almaty and Bishkek for 2026–2030, establishing sister-city relations between Turkestan and the city of Manas, as well as between the Shchuchinsk-Borovoye resort area and the resort area of Lake Issyk-Kul. A number of agreements are aimed at expanding cooperation with Issyk-Kul, Jalal-Abad, and Naryn regions of Kyrgyzstan. In addition, a number of commercial documents were signed in trade, export, and promotion of Kazakhstani products in the Kyrgyz market.