Kazakhstan offers wheat to Pakistan
Pakistan and Kazakhstan have agreed to accelerate implementation of existing agreements and MoUs to transform them into concrete trade and investment opportunities, a statement from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research said on Thursday.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and Kazakhstan Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin in Islamabad. The two sides discussed agricultural trade, food security, connectivity, mechanisation and private-sector engagement. Hussain emphasised that agriculture offers significant untapped potential for strengthening bilateral ties and called for a result-oriented approach with focus on commercially viable projects.
The two sides agreed to convene the next Pakistan-Kazakhstan Joint Working Group on Agriculture in Kazakhstan to review progress and identify new areas of cooperation.
Kazakhstan expressed interest in exploring wheat supply to Pakistan, while Pakistan agreed to examine the proposal based on price, quality and supply conditions.
The meeting highlighted connectivity as a key enabler of agricultural trade. Proposed rail and regional transport links connecting Central Asia with Pakistan were discussed as avenues for reducing freight costs and opening new markets.
Pakistan showcased its export potential in mangoes, guava, dates, bananas, potatoes and onions, expressing interest in greater access to Kazakhstan and Central Asian markets.
Agricultural mechanisation emerged as another promising area, particularly cooperation in affordable tractors and machinery for small and medium-sized farmers.
The minister stressed the importance of stronger coordination between agricultural institutions, research bodies and business communities to promote technology exchange and investment.
Kyrgyzstan backs Joint Business Council
Separately, Kyrgyzstan's Chargé d'Affaires Aibek Tilebaliev called on Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Atif Ikram Sheikh to discuss bilateral trade, investment and business-to-business linkages.
Both sides emphasised the need to effectively promote B2B contacts between the private sectors of the two countries to increase bilateral trade.
Sheikh welcomed the growing high-level engagement between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan, saying there was considerable potential for enhancing trade and investment which needed to be fully exploited.
Sheikh said a visit of a Pakistani business delegation to Kyrgyzstan under FPCCI could play an important role in promoting bilateral trade and investment.
The meeting discussed the establishment of a Joint Business Council between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. Both sides agreed to expedite necessary measures for establishing the council.
Sheikh appreciated Kyrgyzstan's efforts in leading the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), adding that the SCO platform could serve as an effective mechanism for promoting trade and economic cooperation among member states.
Tilebaliev said Kyrgyzstan was keen to further strengthen trade and economic relations with Pakistan and emphasised the need to enhance direct interaction between business communities.
He welcomed the proposed Joint Business Council, saying it would strengthen contacts between traders and industrialists of the two countries. WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP