TEHRAN (Iran News) – Vice-Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan says his country is determined to broaden its economic cooperation with Iran and reiterated Astana is determined to increase the current trade volume to the $3b target which has been set by the presidents of both countries.
Speaking in the Iran-Kazakhstan Business Forum at Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture (ICCIMA), Kazakh Vice-Minister Kairat Torebayev emphasized that cooperation of Kazakhstan with Iran has a strong base, adding that currently 511 companies with investment of Iranians in different fields are active in Kazakhstan.
He went on to say that the trade volume between Iran and Kazakhstan was over $528m in 2022, adding that the figure showed 20% growth comparing to 2021 but unfortunately the figure has declined by 43% this year and it is mainly because of decline in purchase of wheat from Kazakhstan.
Torebayev noted that Kazakhstan is eager to cooperate with Iranians in the fields of tourism, fruits and vegetables, adding that Kazakh companies are ready to export to Iran over 100 items of goods worth of $162m, reiterating that Astana is ready for materializing the $3b trade target with Iran and use diplomatic capacity for linking traders of both sides.
He said petrochemical products, construction materials and fruits are major imports of Kazakhstan from Iran which is on the rise. He noted that boosting the bilateral trade is the policy of the Kazakh government and representatives of 20 companies have accompanied him to Tehran for talks and signing contracts.
Meanwhile in the forum, Head of ICCIMA Mr. Gholam-Hossein Shafei welcomed the vice minister and his entourage and said that Kazakhstan is one of important countries for Iran and trade with it is important. He noted that Kazakhstan has a special place in Iran’s foreign policy. He admitted that the current trade volume is not satisfactory despite both countries’ capacities. He also pointed to the presence of Kazakhstan in the SCO and EAEU and despite sanctions, today the ground is ready for boosting trade.
He reiterated lack of joint bank, banking problem, lack of infrastructures for transportation as well as lack of acquaintance to both countries’ markets are the hurdles in way of boosting the trade which should be taken into consideration and be resolved.
He hailed Kazakhstan for revoking visa regime for Iranians but he said that duration of visa for two weeks is not enough for businessmen and called for more attention on it.
Shafei added that the North-South Corridor is the best opportunity for cooperation wit Kazakhstan and this corridor will help the countries a great deal.
He also called for the launch of a committee for developing transportation. He said developing shipping transportation will reduce cost of trade exchange and portal infrastructures should be reinforced for marine transportation. He said soon the Iran-Kazakhstan Joint Chamber in collaboration with ICCIMA will open its trade center in Kazakhstan which will help traders of both countries for their businesses.
Addressing the event, Kazakh Ambassador to Tehran Askhat Orazbay said that this is the third Iran-Kazakhstan forum which turns into a tradition and shows the interest of Kazakhs for broadening trade ties with Iran. He then pointed to the exchange of trade delegations between the two countries and visit of Kazakhstan President to Tehran. He announced readiness of Kazakhstan embassy for cooperation with the ICCIMA for broadening trade and said that direct flight and easing visa issuance have helped the trade between the two countries to increase.
Meanwhile Head of Iran-Kazakhstan Joint Chamber Mr. Abedi, for his part, invited Kazakhs to attend IRANEXPO which will be held in Tehran on May 7-10 and called it a good opportunity for boosting cooperation.
He said that Kazakhstan’s annual trade volume is $135 while Iran’s share of it is less than 0.5% and this is not good for the country.
He also invited Kazakh traders to attend an exhibition which will be held on Kish Island this year.
