The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, Serik Zhumangarin, stated at the Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Business Forum in Astana that Kazakhstan intends to maintain and increase the volume of flour exports to Afghanistan, Kazinform reports.
Currently, almost all of Kazakhstan's flour exports to Afghanistan pass through Uzbekistan. In the first four months of 2023, more than 450,000 tons of flour worth $150.8 million were sent to Afghanistan via Uzbekistan, Zhumangarin said.
However, he also mentioned the relatively high tariffs imposed by Uzbekistan on the transportation of Kazakh grain cargos to Afghanistan and Tajikistan. To address this issue and boost export volumes to Afghanistan, work has been initiated to expand transit transportation options to Afghanistan.
Zhumangarin pointed out that Turkmenistan is interested in developing transportation through its territory and is ready to offer preferential transit tariffs. This route could serve as an alternative for sending flour and other goods, especially for milled products. For this purpose, the unified operator for the promotion of non-raw materials exports, "QazTrade," will facilitate cost-effective delivery of Kazakh goods to the Bolashak station. Additionally, agreements have been strengthened with Uzbekistan to provide preferential conditions for transit transportation through both countries' territories for the parity supply of flour and grain to Afghanistan.
Earlier reports indicated that trade between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan amounted to $343.6 million in the first six months of the current year, with Kazakhstan's exports accounting for $334.5 million. Afghanistan remains a dominant market for Kazakh flour, with 70% of the total flour exports directed to this country.
The Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Business Forum commenced in Astana with the participation of official representatives from both countries and business-sector representatives.
CentralasianLIGHT.org,
August 3, 2023