Kazakhstan Broadens Non-Commodity Export
The number of exported non-commodity goods from Kazakhstan increased by 278 positions in 2023, Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev said at a May 21 government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, reported the Prime Minister’s press service.
Since 2019, the number of permanent active exporters in Kazakhstan has increased by 300 companies. The range of export destinations expanded from 129 to 135 countries within a year, with significant growth in the export of finished goods to Asian markets, including China (8%), South Korea (26%), and Vietnam (46%).
While the export of services rose by 29%, there was a decline in industrial goods exports such as copper, ferroalloys, zinc, silver, and petroleum products. This decline is attributed to external factors, including global price volatility, decreased demand, and increased competition in target markets.
Conversely, the physical volumes of processed agricultural products have risen, with flour exports up by 1.1%, sunflower oil by over 55.5%, and beverages by 42.8%.
Kazakhstan aims to achieve $45 billion in exports by 2029, with a specific focus on China. According to Shakkaliyev, the goal is to increase the export of finished products by 2.5 times to reach $12.5 billion in the medium term.
Efforts will continue to strengthen trade with the Eurasian Economic Union and Central Asian countries, supported by the development of necessary cross-border trade infrastructure. Priority markets include the Middle East for high-margin goods such as chilled lamb, poultry, and by-products, and the European Union for Kazakh food and organic products.
Kazakhstan is launching a trading accelerator through the QazTrade Trade Policy Development Center to facilitate long-term contracts with advance payments for guaranteed export volumes. An Export Credit Agency, established this year, offers business entities insurance and financial support throughout the export cycle.
The minister emphasized that financial measures will target higher-processed goods to reduce dependence on external factors. The QazTrade center will continue to provide annual service measures to over 450 companies. Over the past three years, exports of vegetable oils and fats have increased by 2.2 times, fertilizers by 1.7 times, and lamb by 4.4 times.
To boost product recognition, a trade representative office of QazTrade has been registered in Urumqi, and Qazaq Trade House has begun operations at the EXPO Dubai national pavilion. Kazakh companies will also participate in major exhibitions in Urumqi and Shanghai.
Shakkaliyev identified the service sector as a key driver of export revenue, with exports totaling $10.3 billion last year. Kazakhstan’s service exports, including IT, oilfield, and medical services, can be delivered without crossing borders, he added.(Source:astanatimes)
