August 28, 2006 -- Kyrgyzstan's Economy and Finance Minister Akylbek Japarov today said his country will soon export up to 60 million electric light bulbs a year to Iran.

Japarov said an agreement to that effect was signed 15 months ago, but that the lack of common standards between Kyrgyzstan and Iran has delayed its implementation.

He said Kyrgyz officials will go to Iran next month with a series of proposals to solve the problem.

Japarov was in Tehran earlier this month to discuss economic ties with President Mahmud Ahamadiejad and other Iranian officials.

Today, he confirmed that Tehran is considering granting Bishkek a $64 million credit line to boost Iran's investments in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan's Kabar national news agency last week reported that Tehran and Bishkek are planning to increase the volume of bilateral trade to $200 million a year in the near future from the current $40 million.

(24.kg, Kabar)