ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Kazakhstan have started formal talks to identify areas for promoting bilateral trade.

Commerce Minister Gohar Ejaz held a virtual meeting with Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Shakkaliyev Arman.

An official announcement issued after the meeting said Mr Arman emphasised the need for expanding cooperation in various sectors and increasing the trade volume.

He expressed particular interest in exploring trade opportunities in agricultural products and the potential for transit trade and logistics through Pakistani ports of Gwadar and Karachi, facilitating access to South Asian markets. Pakistan’s mutual trade with Kazakhstan stands at $100 million.

Mr Ejaz said that Pakistan plans to increase bilateral to $1bn with Kazakhstan. He highlighted Pakistan’s capacity to bring substantial value to Kazakhstan through its huge market for energy, industry and small and medium-sized enterprises.

He extended an invitation to Minister Shakkaliyev Arman and business delegates from Kazakhstan to visit Pakistan and explore investment opportunities.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2023