New Delhi, Feb 6: The Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Kamal Nath, has called for improving the bilateral trade between India and Kyrgystan.

He said it while observing that the bilateral trade during 2006-07 is of the order of 38 million dollars, including exports worth 37 million dollars and imports of 0.77 million dollars.

The relations between the two countries are traditionally close and have over close political rapport and meaningful economic co-operation reinforced the years, said Nath during his meeting with Kyrgystan Foreign Affairs Minister Ednan Karabaev.

Both sides discussed the steps for increasing the bilateral trade in the areas of food processing, textiles, agriculture, science and technology, tourism, chemical and pharmaceutical.

Pointing out the difficulties faced by the Indian businessmen in obtaining the Kyrgystan visa, Nath mentioned about the excellent investment climate in India and the opportunities available for the companies to take advantage of the same.

Kamal Nath also emphasised that "Indian skills and capacity in the Information and Technology (IT) are now globally acknowledged and we can share our expertise with Kyrgystan".

Major commodities of export to Kyrgystan from India are RMG wool, RMG cotton including accessories, leather goods, handicrafts, machinery and instruments, cosmetics and toiletries.

While the major commodities that India imports from Kyrgystan are raw wool, manufactures of metals, raw silk, crude minerals, metalifers ores and metal scrap. (ANI)