Almaty, 27 November 2021 (TDI): The Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan organized the 10th session of the Kazakhstan-Pakistan Intergovernmental Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Pakistan; on 23 November.
The Additional Secretary Ministry of Economics of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr. Zubair Asghar Qureshi led the Pakistani side. The Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Kairat Torebayev was the co-chair from the Kazakh side.
The sides discussed issues of the trade and economic agenda of bilateral relations.
As noted by K.Torebayev, the IJC platform allows you to compare notes on the most important and promising areas of cooperation between the two countries.
The sides noted mutual interest in developing cooperation in various sectors of the economy.
To successfully restore trade and also economic ties, the Kazakh side drew attention to the urgent need to resume direct flights between our countries. The Pakistani side noted the need to resolve logistical issues in the delivery of goods to Kazakhstan and Pakistan.
Following the meeting, the parties signed the Protocol of the tenth meeting of the IJC.
KAZAKHSTAN-PAKISTAN RELATIONS
Pakistan was one of the first countries that recognize Kazakhstan in 1991. In 1992, the two countries established diplomatic relations then. Their relations are based on a common approach towards issues, mutual understanding, and also goodwill towards each other.
Kazakhstan established its Embassy in Islamabad in 1994. On the other side, Pakistan has an Embassy in Kazakhstan’s capital. Pakistan provided Kazakhstan in 2020, medicines to combat COVID-19.
Through the Pakistan-Kazakhstan Inter-Governmental Commission on trade, economic, scientific, technological, and cultural cooperation; bilateral cooperation has been institutionalized. In 2016, both countries agreed to identify flagship projects to cooperate in the energy and communication sectors.
TOTAL AGREEMENTS AND JOINT BUSINESS COUNCIL
Kazakhstan-Pakistan bilateral relations count with 36 Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding since the establishment of diplomatic relations, in diverse cooperation fields. Kazakhstan has around 559 Pakistani citizens residing in different cities of the country. Both countries also agreed to hold a Joint Business Council meeting in 2016.
TRADE RELATIONS
In 2020, the trade volume between both countries was up to 45 million 556.8 thousand dollars. According to the Embassy, from January to August 2021, the trade volume has totaled up to 26 million 290 thousand dollars.
Pakistan exports to Kazakhstan are varied, like precious stones, jewelry, textiles, chemicals, medicines, food, shoes, leather goods, sports goods, construction materials, and also other materials.
Pakistan imports from Kazakhstan construction materials, paints, machinery, equipment, fertilizers, coal, vegetable oils, food products, and also other products.
