During the official visit of a Kazakh delegation to Afghanistan, a surge of interest in bilateral trade and economic cooperation emerged, highlighting Kazakhstan's keenness to tap into Afghanistan's market potential. The event, featuring 35 Kazakh companies showcasing their products and services, unfolded at the Kazakh-Afghan business forum and thematic exhibition held in Kabul.
The delegation from Kazakhstan comprised representatives from diverse sectors including automotive, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and technology. Participants included the Qarmet company, Doscar Group dealership (representing Kia and Chevrolet brands), Kentau Transformer Plant, and the Kaspy Group of companies specializing in metal structures and agricultural machinery production.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Serik Zhumangarin, emphasized the mutual goal of elevating bilateral trade turnover to $3bn, a target set during a prior visit by an Afghan delegation to Kazakhstan. Zhumangarin outlined proposed areas of collaboration spanning the chemical industry, mining, metallurgical complexes, geological exploration, solid minerals processing, and IT technologies.
Particularly striking was Kazakhstan's interest in exporting domestically produced cars to Afghanistan, coupled with plans for establishing localized dealership centers for vehicle servicing within the Afghan territory. This move not only underscores Kazakhstan's industrial prowess but also signals a promising avenue for economic integration between the two nations.
Furthermore, to foster educational and cultural ties, Zhumangarin proposed doubling the annual number of educational grants for Afghan citizens to study at Kazakh universities, from 30 to 60. Additionally, he extended invitations for Afghan children to partake in recreational activities at Kazakh summer camps, fostering people-to-people exchanges.
The bilateral engagement also witnessed significant strides in the agricultural sector, with Afghan businesses showcasing substantial interest in Kazakh agricultural products. Agreements worth over $12mn were inked for the supply of sunflower oil, cereal products, and flour. Moreover, Afghan companies expressed keenness in procuring motor oil, signaling a burgeoning avenue for collaboration in the energy sector.
In a testament to the deepening trade relations, the Trade House of Kazakhstan commenced operations in the city of Herat, Afghanistan, offering a dedicated platform for facilitating trade and economic exchanges between the two nations.
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