Kazakhstan sets five-year trade roadmap with Pakistan

Kazakh official seeks direct flights, Pakistani prime ministerial visit as Feb agreements await implementation

ALMATY:

Kazakhstan has developed a five-year roadmap to expand trade and investment with Pakistan, Deputy Prime Minister Sirjan Zhomangarin said during a meeting with Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh, as both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic relations, increasing trade and exploring new investment opportunities, according to a statement issued by the Board of Investment on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Sheikh emphasised the need to promote business-to-business cooperation, enhance private-sector engagement and improve banking channels to facilitate trade and investment.

He highlighted opportunities in e-commerce, warehousing, textiles and mining, noting that Kazakhstan's affordable energy could attract Pakistani investment in the textile sector.

The memorandums of understanding signed during President Asif Ali Zardari's visit to Kazakhstan in February required early implementation to translate commitments into tangible economic benefits, Sheikh stressed.

Kazakhstan's deputy prime minister expressed his desire for Pakistan's prime minister to visit Kazakhstan and reaffirmed his country's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

He emphasised the need to increase bilateral trade and said a five-year roadmap had been developed to advance cooperation.

He noted that Pakistan's market of approximately 250 million people offered significant opportunities for Kazakhstan, while Pakistan could use Kazakhstan as a gateway to the wider Eurasian market.

The deputy prime minister also highlighted the need for direct air connectivity between Pakistan and Kazakhstan to facilitate business, trade and people-to-people exchanges.

He informed that Kazakhstan's foreign minister would visit Pakistan to attend the preparatory meeting for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Both sides emphasised the importance of stronger connectivity, effective implementation of existing agreements and greater private-sector engagement to transform the potential of bilateral relations into concrete economic partnerships.

The statement said the meeting focused on stronger trade, investment and connectivity ties, with both sides exploring ways to increase bilateral trade and new investment opportunities between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.