Kazakhstan explores new trade opportunities with Pakistan
Abdullah Jan
Islamabad: Kazakhstan aims to boost exports and diversify its economy while addressing challenges in raw material exports.
Kazakhstan has been actively developing its trade relations since gaining independence, with Italy, China, and Russia currently leading as its main trading partners.
Experts are now discussing the potential for Kazakh goods to reach new markets, including Pakistan. The country’s strategic location in the center of Eurasia positions it as a crucial hub for international trade, appealing to both Western and Eastern partners.
This historical significance is underscored by Kazakhstan’s role along the ancient Silk Road, which facilitated the exchange of goods like silk, spices, and precious metals, as well as knowledge and cultural traditions. Today, efforts are underway to establish a “New Silk Road,” which includes constructing highways to connect Kazakhstan with neighboring countries, opening new border crossings, and renovating existing ones. This initiative is part of Kazakhstan’s active participation in global supply chains, which not only boosts economic growth but also fortifies international relations.
Rich in natural resources, Kazakhstan is a significant player in the raw materials market. According to official statistics from 2024, the country exports crude oil, petroleum products, copper, and copper concentrates, while primarily importing consumer goods, food, household appliances, and electronics. The Ministry of Trade and Integration (MTI) has highlighted the potential for Kazakhstan to export high-value-added goods.
Kairat Torebaev, the future Vice Minister of Trade and Integration, emphasized the importance of increasing the added value of products within Kazakhstan. “New export products are primarily related to deeper processing of the goods we have in Kazakhstan. We have a strong interest in added value within Kazakhstan—this includes metals, their extraction, processing, and subsequent export,” he stated. The MTI aims to achieve $41 billion in exports of processed products by the end of 2025.
Alongside this, the ministry is working to open new sales markets, with Pakistan being a focal point. “Geographically, it seems close, but there’s Afghanistan in between. Therefore, we are working closely with the Afghan government. Each year, Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin travels there, and we invite them here. We are exploring both their market and that of Pakistan. Essentially, it’s two markets in one bottle. Everything produced in Kazakhstan, particularly in agriculture, is supplied there,” the spokesperson explained.
Deputy of the Mazhilis, Aidarbek Khodzhanazarov, argues that Kazakhstan must first determine what it can sell before deciding where to sell it. “Today, we export everything we can. However, the issue is that we mainly export raw materials. We need to consider adding value and processing. We must start processing in our key sectors—subsoil use, processing of solid minerals, oil, gas, and, of course, agricultural products. I believe these three areas, given to us by nature, have not yet been fully tapped. We need to move towards deeper processing in these areas, as these products are in demand,” he asserted.
