Pakistan and its seaports hold
significant interest for Kazakhstan in promoting domestic products to the
markets of Africa and Southeast Asia. In turn, for Pakistan, Kazakhstan
presents an opportunity for a more rapid entry into the Eurasian market. The
prospects for trade and economic cooperation were discussed by participants at
the Kazakhstan-Pakistan Business Forum in Astana, which brought together
representatives from over 40 companies in various industries, including
chemicals, textiles, agriculture, and pharmaceutical production. It bears
noting that the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to
approximately $40 million in the first 10 months of this year. There are plans
to boost volumes by increasing the export of Kazakh products. Thus, domestic
producers can supply over 40 types of processed goods worth $21.5 million to
Pakistan. In this regard, it is important to foster cooperation in the
transport and logistics sector, with particular emphasis on the International
North-South Transport Corridor, according to experts.
“As the fifth-largest market
globally with a population of 242 million, Pakistan may play a key role in the
development of the North-South Corridor. Our foremost focus should be on
developing transport routes between Kazakhstan and Pakistan. The primary
principle we will apply is, of course, diversification. That is, we have a
number of areas and options that we will work on. Our objective is to open this
market and demonstrate the existing potential,” said Yerzhan Kistafin, Kazakh
Ambassador to Pakistan.