ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT): Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, announced that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will visit Pakistan in November, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of economic and trade relations between the two countries. During a press briefing at the Embassy of Kazakhstan, Ambassador Kistafin highlighted the vast potential for bilateral trade, estimating it could reach up to $14 billion.
To achieve this goal, both countries aim to increase bilateral trade to $1 billion within the next two years. Joint Working Groups (JWGs) will be held in six sectors, including IT, agriculture, education, defense, trade, and tourism, to discuss the president’s agenda and finalize agreements on trade and logistics. The ambassador emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between relevant agencies and preparing necessary agreements for practical implementation.
Pakistan’s participation in the International North-South Connectivity Corridor and the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor projects would be beneficial for both countries, according to Ambassador Kistafin. These initiatives will connect the East and West directly, linking Pakistan to Kazakhstan’s ports and transcontinental trade destinations, including the European Union and Central and South Asian states. The ambassador also expressed strong support for the Pakistan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan Transit Railway project.
Kazakhstan is committed to digital transformation, with President Tokayev announcing a roadmap to promote artificial intelligence and digitalization in the country. The nation aims to become a fully digitized state within the next three years, with crypto-currency promotion and digital technology-based projects being launched on priority.
A large business forum will be organized in Karachi later this year, where agreements will be signed to promote cooperation in sports, education, and culture. Both countries are expected to play vital roles in regional economic and trade integration, leveraging their strategic locations.
The ambassador also mentioned that Kazakhstan participated in the negotiations of the Joint Working Group with Pakistan and that President Tokayev mentioned Pakistan in his address, wishing for the completion of the project of the railway system from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
