WNAM REPORT: Speaking at a press conference, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, said that the visit of Kazakhstan’s President in November will be a milestone in expanding economic and trade relations between the two countries.
Ambassador Kistafin added that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Kazakhstan has the potential to reach US$14 billion, and both sides are aiming to boost it to US$1 billion within the next two years through enhanced cooperation in areas like agriculture, trade, defense, education, tourism and IT.
In preparation for the presidential visit, Joint Working Group (JWG) meetings are planned, covering six priority sectors. Ambassador Kistafin said negotiations on several bilateral agreements, including those on trade and logistics, will also be held.
Connectivity and regional integration are central themes in the emerging Pakistan‑Kazakhstan partnership.
Kazakhstan has invited Pakistan to join major regional infrastructure and trade corridors like the International North‑South Corridor and the Trans‑Caspian Middle Corridor Projects, with plans to link Gwadar Port to those corridors for smoother access to Central Asia, Europe, and beyond.
The Kazakh ambassador also highlighted recent initiatives launched back home, for example, the President announced a roadmap for artificial intelligence and digitalization, with priority given to digital projects in customs, trade facilitation, and cargo systems.
Other areas of cooperation being pursued include food security, youth skills development in AI, and cultural, educational, and sporting exchanges. A large business forum is expected in Karachi during the year, where agreements in these domains are likely to be signed.
