Kazakhstan and Iran are considering
the creation of cargo delivery routes to the port of Amirabad via the Caspian
Sea, which will allow domestic exporters to cross Iran in two-three days and
then deliver their products to the Persian Gulf countries. The opening of a
joint venture with the United Arab Emirates’ port, industrial and logistics
operator was discussed during a meeting between Kazakh Minister of Trade and
Integration Serik Zhumangarin and the head of the leading ship management
company in the Persian Gulf Davood Tafti. According to the ministry, Kazakh
exporters will have access not only to the Iranian ports of Amirabad, Bandar
Abbas, Bandar Khomeini, Chabahar, but also to the harbors of the UAE, India,
Pakistan, the Far East and the east coast of Africa. It is planned to send cargo
to the countries through the ports of Kuryk in the Mangystau region and
Jebel-Ali in the UAE, which will be provided with all necessary infrastructure
and equipment.
“The trade turnover between
Kazakhstan and Iran amounts to a little over $500 million. However, we can significantly
boost this figure given a very large market. As for the UAE, it is Kazakhstan’s
main trading partner in the Persian Gulf. In 2022, our mutual trade was just
over $600 million, while Kazakhstan’s exports to the UAE approached $500
million. In the future, these volumes can be increased,” said Aibek Sagynayev,
Deputy General Director of the Qaztrade Trade Policy Development Center.
