Pakistan, Kazakhstan Explore Trade and Investment Opportunities

The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, met with Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi and other key business leaders to discuss enhancing bilateral trade and investment.

Ambassador Kistafin emphasized Kazakhstan’s status as Pakistan’s largest trade partner in Central Asia and underscored the potential for boosting economic cooperation. He highlighted April as a pivotal month for advancing trade relations, with several high-level engagements planned, including:
✅ Joint Working Group Meetings on IT, communication, and agriculture.
✅ Regional Connectivity Sessions to improve trade links.
✅ Online Commerce Ministers’ Meeting to explore new investment avenues.
✅ Joint Intergovernmental Commission Meeting to finalize agreements.

Citing Pakistan Business Council research, Ambassador Kistafin noted that bilateral trade could be increased to $14 billion, with IT, agriculture, sports goods, textiles, and pharmaceuticals identified as key sectors for collaboration.

ICCI President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi welcomed the Ambassador’s visit, stressing the importance of B2B connections to enhance trade ties. He also:
✔ Called for eased visa procedures to facilitate business travel.
✔ Encouraged virtual business meetings to foster economic cooperation.
✔ Highlighted ICCI’s role in strengthening trade and investment partnerships.

The meeting was attended by ICCI Senior Vice President Abdul Rehman Siddiqui, former President Mian Shaukat Masood, Executive Members Fatima Azim, Irfan Chaudhry, Naveed Satti, and senior advisor Naeem Siddiqui. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing trade, investment, and cultural exchanges, paving the way for stronger economic ties between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.