Zhapaluofu, Kyrghizstan Minister of Economics and Finance

       Honorable Chairman, Organization Committee Members and Delegates,
       Ladies and Gentlemen,

       First of all, I would like to thank the organizers’ warm invitation to ask me to attend the 1st Euro-Asia Economic Forum in Xi’an, one of the four ancient capitals of China. I want to thank you, on behalf of all Kyrghizstan delegates, for your great hospitality to us on this beautiful and historical land!

       The high-level and wide participation of forum demonstrates the strong desire in seeking breakthrough in regional economic and trade cooperation of countries in this region.

       I believe you will agree that the convening of this important and timely Forum is of great necessity. Countries in Eurasian region are seeking to bridge the gaps in political understanding and economic development of each other. China, as a country that achieved impressive economic growth within a short period of time, is playing an increasingly important role in promoting regional economic cooperation.

       As the Prime Minister of Tajikistan Mr. Akilov just mentioned, regional cooperation is the only practical way by which we can realize sustainable development and poverty reduction. We are here to find the most effective and the best cooperation approach. Under globalization, small countries like Kyrghizstan can barely survive in the face of ferocious competition for resources and market, while developed countries are expanding their influence aggressively. For us, a regional development model led by one or several advanced counties, will be the most stable and dynamic one, which has also been proved right around the world.

       We are looking forward to mutually beneficial cooperation to make every country’s potential into full play and to improve welfare of all countries. To realize this goal, a series of issues have to be addressed, including legal framework and economic infrastructure improving, as well as trade and business barriers lifting. Kyrghizstan, as a member of the World Trade Organization, hopes that all participating countries in this forum can join the organization because lifting trade barriers will considerably promote market demand in central Asia to make the land more attractive for investors.

       We should jointly develop a regional trade promoting program as well as unified principals and rules for free flow of goods and services in the region. I want to say, we are not only brothers but twins. Unified regulations will provide a solid legal framework to create a truly free trade area as well as a reliable foundation to develop free trade and higher-level economic cooperation. Free trade agreements will bring benefits to all the countries in this region.

        We have to enhance coordination in cross-border transportation, no matter by road, air or water (though Kyrghizstan has no water channels or sea ports) to promote regional transport network construction and flow of goods. Developing road network, including improving and upgrading road infrastructure and port facilities according to international standards, will expedite customs clearance and consignment transaction. In addition, countries in this region can also benefit from strengthened cooperation in energy sectors, especially on the development of regional power grid, oil and gas pipelines and energy supply system.

        We should greatly promote cooperation with international organizations and financial institutions to make use of foreign technologies and capital in local project development, and we should allow international organization and foreign investors to play a bigger role in local projects and programs.

       We must unambiguously recognize that a regulated, predictable and harmonious economic relation between regional countries can narrow our gaps, and promote sustainable development and common prosperity of the region. I hope this region can become a good example for other regional cooperation in the world. We should develop ourselves as part of the whole region, and we should make our best to realize our commitments. Only through whole-hearted joint efforts, can we realize common prosperity in the region to maintain peace, stable economic growth and regional security.