Central Asia's "Belt and Road" cooperation between China and Kazakhstan: Sino-Kazakh economic and trade cooperation continues to deepen, bilateral trade is expected to double by 2030
Kazakhstan International News Agency report August 20, the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, Arman Sakaliev, held a working meeting with the Chinese Minister of Commerce in Beijing.
According to the news office of the Ministry of Trade and Integration, the focus of the meeting was to implement important consensus reached by the two heads of state at the second "Central Asia-China" Summit.
The two sides highly evaluated the comprehensive strategic partnership based on the special trust and friendship between the two heads of state. The mutual trust and personal relationship between the two leaders have become an important driving force for promoting the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, injecting new vitality into deepening economic and trade cooperation.
The Chinese minister pointed out that bilateral trade volume has continued to grow. In 2024, the total trade volume between the two countries reached 43.8 billion US dollars, an increase of 9.2% year-on-year; while in the first half of 2025, this figure had already reached 21.8 billion US dollars. This indicates that the goal of doubling the bilateral trade volume by 2030 is feasible.
Sakaliev stated that in order to achieve the set goals, the two countries are advancing a joint action plan and roadmap for developing border trade under the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative. This will significantly enhance Kazakhstan's transit potential and create conditions for economic connectivity between the two countries.
Both sides particularly focused on expanding the export of non-resource products and high-value-added products from Kazakhstan. Sakaliev emphasized that Kazakhstan is committed to developing processing industries and exports of high-value-added products, and hopes to establish a "investment + sales" model of cooperation with China.
During the meeting, both sides also exchanged views on the digitalization of customs procedures, the development of e-commerce, and eliminating barriers within the framework of the World Trade Organization. Kazakhstan positively evaluated the progress of the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on e-commerce cooperation signed during the second "Central Asia-China" Summit.
In addition, Kazakhstan proposed to expand the "Kazakhstan National Pavilion" on Chinese e-commerce platforms to promote e-commerce cooperation to a new level, which also reflects the willingness of both sides to further develop mutually beneficial cooperation. Currently, both sides are creating favorable conditions for the exchange of experience in logistics, investment, and e-commerce fields.
The meeting also discussed the prospects of attracting Chinese investments into the real economy of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan suggested that China consider reducing import tariffs on Kazakh products and proposed the possibility of jointly implementing deep processing projects in Kazakhstan.
Another important item on the agenda was Kazakhstan's participation in international exhibitions held in China. Kazakhstan especially emphasized that the Shanghai CIIE, Beijing CEWE, and Urumqi "China-Asia-Europe Expo" are important platforms for promoting Kazakh products and establishing direct B2B connections. The Chinese minister stated that Chinese enterprises also showed strong interest in participating in trade and investment activities held in Kazakhstan.
Previously reported, nine Kazakhstani companies were included in the list of non-food products registered in China for the first time, which will create new opportunities for the export of livestock products from the country to the Chinese market.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841064910082048/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.