Kazakhstan and Afghanistan plan to triple mutual trade turnover to $3 billion
If last year mutual trade turnover reached almost $1 billion, then in the coming years this figure is planned to increase to $3 billion.
At the same time, to develop bilateral trade and economic relations, the government decided to open the Kazakhstan trading house in the western Afghan province of Herat. According to the government’s expectations, this will directly connect businessmen of the two countries with each other, as well as pinpoint the best areas and industries for trade interaction.
Meanwhile, according to statistical data, Afghanistan is one of the important importers of Kazakh agricultural products and purchases about 70% of exported flour (+52%, up to 1.3 million tons, in 2022). Also last year, 686.7 thousand tons of wheat were sold (+20%), 17.6 thousand tons of sunflower oil (+6.2 times), and the shipment of rye began.
Government agencies note that recently exports to Afghanistan have diversified, and shipments of medicines, fertilizers and rolled products have stabilized.
The government noted that negotiations are ongoing to strengthen cooperation. In particular, in August 2023, the Kazakh-Afghanistan business forum was held in Astana. As a result, contracts worth $200 million were concluded.
In addition, in May, to promote bilateral trade, economic and humanitarian relations, two Afghan diplomats were allowed to begin work in Kazakhstan: one of them at the Afghan Embassy in Astana, the other at the Consulate General in Almaty. Their activities in Kazakhstan are limited only to these two areas. In their official activities, when mentioning the country of origin, they will use exclusively the name Afghanistan, as well as the old model of the flag, seals, etc.
According to the same principle, Afghan diplomats are accredited in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Russia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, China and a number of other countries.
In turn, entrepreneur Dastan Akhmetzhan noted that the stated plans to increase trade turnover three times are more than realistic.
“In fact, the potential is huge. Kazakhstan can supply grain, flour products, as well as legumes, including corn and soybeans. In addition, Afghanistan has a large tea culture, but there is a lack of sweets. Therefore, all of this, including our confectionery products, can be supply to this country. In addition, the export of oil and gas products is interesting,” explained Dastan Akhmetzhan.
