Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan sign two MoUs to deepen bilateral ties

Bangladesh and Kyrgyzstan have signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral cooperation, including between their foreign service academies, as the two countries seek to expand trade, investment, education and employment opportunities.

The agreements were signed during the second round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Bishkek today (13 October), according to a press release from Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The first MoU provides for cooperation between the two countries' foreign service academies, while the second sets out a programme of action for 2026–2027 aimed at achieving practical, mutually beneficial outcomes.

The consultations were led by Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Ambassador Asad Alam Siam and Kyrgyz Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Tursunkulov. Bangladesh's Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Dr M Monirul Islam, was also part of the delegation.

Both sides agreed to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2027 and arrange high-level visits, including by their foreign ministers, to strengthen political engagement.

The delegations discussed expanding trade and investment, with a focus on greater private-sector engagement and exchanges of business delegations.

They identified textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, information technology and technology transfer as areas with potential for closer cooperation. The discussions also covered opportunities to use Kyrgyzstan's strategic location and access to the wider Eurasian market to expand economic ties.

Kyrgyzstan expressed optimism about strengthening business and investment links through government-to-government and business-to-business engagement, as well as direct partnerships between private-sector entities.

The two countries also discussed employment opportunities for Bangladeshi skilled and semi-skilled workers, particularly in the garment, pharmaceutical and IT sectors.

The Kyrgyz delegation highlighted opportunities for Bangladeshi students to pursue higher education at its medical colleges and emphasised the importance of regular and legal channels for student mobility.

The consultations also covered student and youth exchanges, sports, tourism, cultural cooperation, parliamentary friendship, visa facilitation and people-to-people contacts.

The two sides reviewed proposed bilateral agreements on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders, agriculture, trade and economic cooperation, cultural relations, tourism, investment protection and industrial cooperation. They agreed to conclude the agreements at the earliest opportunity.

Both countries underscored the importance of closer coordination in international and regional organisations, including the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Following the consultations, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam met Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev. Kulubaev recalled his meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman in New York in September and invited his Bangladeshi counterpart to visit Kyrgyzstan.]

During the meeting, Siam sought Kyrgyzstan's support for Bangladesh's candidacies for the UN Security Council for 2031–2032 and the Human Rights Council for 2028–2030. He also raised the issue of repatriating Rohingyas from Bangladesh.

Kulubaev thanked Bangladesh for supporting Kyrgyzstan's election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.

The two delegations expressed optimism that the consultations would lay the groundwork for practical cooperation and agreed to hold the third round of Foreign Office Consultations in Dhaka at a mutually convenient time.