ISLAMABAD: A delegation from Kazakhstan, led by Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin, expressed a keen interest in exploring business and investment opportunities in Pakistan during their visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Friday.
The delegation represented various sectors, including food and beverages, oil and gas, minerals, precious stones, fertilizers, chemicals, textiles, auto parts, wholesale, and retail, according to a press release.
Ambassador Kistafin highlighted his country’s desire to strengthen trade relations with Pakistan, emphasizing the potential for trade in various commodities between the two nations.
He mentioned that a trade delegation from Kazakhstan had visited Pakistan the previous year and anticipated that the visit of another Kazakh delegation would further promote business relations.
The Ambassador noted that the President of Kazakhstan was scheduled to visit Pakistan in the near future, which would enhance trade and economic ties.
Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President of ICCI, proposed setting a bilateral trade target of at least US$1 billion, as the current trade level did not align with their actual potential. He pointed out that Pakistan’s ports offered Kazakhstan the shortest route to access other markets through the Arabian Sea.
Kazakhstan Expresses Interest in Enhanced Trade Relations
President Bakhtawari identified multiple areas of potential cooperation between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, including construction, agriculture, energy, textiles, pharmaceuticals, food products, engineering equipment, machinery, banking, and finance. He also emphasized the need to explore road and railway connections to boost trade and economic relations.
Yessentayev Arman, Head of the Kazakh delegation, emphasized Pakistan’s vast market for business and investment, highlighting sectors of interest such as oil and gas, surgical instruments, juices, textiles, rice, sugar, and fertilizers.
He proposed the establishment of bank branches in each other’s markets to facilitate bilateral trade promotion. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of addressing the lack of information in the private sectors of both countries regarding potential areas of business cooperation.
ICCI is planning a delegation visit to Kazakhstan to explore new business partnership opportunities and further enhance bilateral trade ties.
