(MENAFN) Türkiye’s ambassador to Bishkek, Mustafa Kemal Okem, announced Sunday that Turkish investments in Kyrgyzstan have gone beyond $1.4 billion, calling the growing partnership between the two countries a “special and honorable duty.”

At a breakfast meeting with journalists in the Kyrgyz capital, Okem said around 350 Turkish firms are active in various sectors such as mining, tourism, energy, construction, and transportation.

“Recently, Turkish companies have undertaken significant projects in areas such as energy and construction. We hope to see more Turkish companies participate in projects in Kyrgyzstan,” he said, highlighting that Turkish investments cover all parts of the Central Asian nation.

Okem revealed that a new bilateral trade goal, set at the presidential level, stands at $5 billion. Trade between the countries increased by roughly 5% in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching $1.546 billion. By July 2025, trade volume was about $829 million.

The ambassador pointed out Türkiye’s Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), which has carried out over 1,000 projects in Kyrgyzstan so far with a total budget of $88 million. “We are launching our projects at the request of Kyrgyzstan,” he said, underlining Türkiye’s approach of collaborating with local institutions at every phase.

He called for enhanced local involvement, noting that this cooperative method has always been their practice, and expressed appreciation to the Kyrgyz government and institutions for their support.

Okem also emphasized the importance of Kyrgyzstan-Türkiye Manas University, founded jointly in 1995. The university offers free education to Kyrgyz students and inaugurated a medical faculty in 2025, admitting its first 37 students this year.

“The new medical faculty will eventually contribute to Kyrgyzstan’s healthcare system,” he stated. He also mentioned that during the COVID-19 pandemic, students continued their education through the university’s MANAS TV channel.

The ambassador announced the launch of a new “Kyrgyz Stars Scholarship” aimed at funding top Kyrgyz students to study in Türkiye, calling education “a cornerstone of bilateral ties.”

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