Iran Is Kazakhstan’s Good Partner in Mideast
TEHRAN (Iran News) In an interview with IRAN NEWS, Mr. Onalbayev highlighted the significance of ties between Kazakhstan and Iran and sad that in 2022, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had his first official visit to Tehran where both countries signed many agreements and MoUs for cooperation. He added that President Tokayev in person attended Iran’s Embassy to sign memorial book commemorating for the demise of President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. He reiterated the relation of Kazakhstan and Iran has always been good and amicable.
He added that at that during President Tokayev’s visit to Tehran, an economic forum between the two countries was held and some 10 agreements were signed between Iranian and Kazakh companies.
He went on to say that the joint economic commission of both countries was held in 2023 and the roadmap for cooperation between the two states was signed where both countries decided to increase bilateral trade to $3b.
Onalbayev then reiterated that the agreement signed between Iran and Eurasian Economic Union is very important for economic relation between Tehran and Nur-Sultan. He added that the approval of this law and agreement in the parliaments of the EAEU member states will have great impact on the bilateral trade.
He further said that the next joint economic commission of Iran and Kazakhstan is to be held by the end of 2024 in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.
The Ambassador further said that both countries have some plans for cooperation in cultural fields and both countries are to implement some joint cultural programs and Kazakhstan is to launch a cultural center.
He added that exchange of students between the two countries is one of the cultural programs which is on the agenda.
The Ambassador then pointed to good relation between the two countries and said over 500 Iranian companies have been set up in Kazakhstan and there are 131 Iranian-Kazakh companies in Kazakhstan.
Onalbayev then admitted that despite good relation, the trade volume between the two countries has decreased due to different reasons like sanctions. He said the trade volume was over $500m in 2022 as it declined to $300m in 2023.
He further said Kazakhstan is studying for the launch of a logistic center in Iran’s Bandar Abbas for transit of its goods to the Persian Gulf states.
Iran and Kazakhstan share strong economic ties, bolstered by their geographical proximity and mutual interest in regional cooperation. Both countries are key players in the Caspian Sea region and have worked together to enhance trade, energy cooperation, and transport connectivity.
Trade between Iran and Kazakhstan has seen steady growth in recent years despite recent decline. Kazakhstan exports commodities such as grain, oil, and metals to Iran, while Iran supplies goods like agricultural products, construction materials, and pharmaceuticals. Both nations aim to increase their trade volume.
One of the most significant initiatives is the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal network connecting India, Iran, Central Asia, and Russia. This project aims to enhance regional trade by reducing transit time and costs. Kazakhstan sees Iran as a vital transit hub for its goods, allowing better access to markets in the Middle East and beyond.
Both governments have encouraged mutual investment, particularly in the fields of energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. Kazakhstan’s investment in Iranian sectors like agriculture and mining has grown, while Iranian companies are interested in Kazakhstan’s infrastructure and manufacturing industries.
