Kazakh keen for JVs with Pakistani traders

Islamabad: Kazakhstan has shown keenness in joint ventures with Pakistan's private sector in trade, industry and services to improve the trade volume. To explore the avenues, the Kazakh Ambassador to Pakistan, Bakhytbek Shabarbayev, held parleys with the President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Nasir Khan, here on Monday.

The Ambassador and ICCI President discussed ways and means to further cement the economic relations and strengthen cooperation in various fields, particularly in the energy sector.Briefing about his country, Shabarbayev said that Kazakhstan is the second largest country among the Common Wealth Independent States (CIS).

Kazakhstan is 9th largest country in the world and its borders, about 12,187 km, are linked with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

He said that Pakistan could import oil and gas products from Kazakhstan at cheaper rates, as the latter is rich in oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromites, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulphur, iron and steel.

Besides, it manufactures tractors, agriculture machinery, electric motors, etc. The envoy said that both countries should exchange trade delegations to enhance bilateral trade. ICCI President said that Pakistan was trying to further improve economic and trade relations with Kazakhstan.