An extended meeting of the operational headquarters on the development of non-resource exports was held in Astana. The event was attended by more than 10 business associations, 20 government agencies and national development institutions, as well as about 150 exporters. The main topics of discussion included VAT refunds, cost reimbursements for exporters, new support tools, searching for new markets and overcoming export barriers.
Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliev noted positive changes since the headquarters meetings. He also announced the creation of a working group with the Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China Wang Wentao to expedite the passage of goods at the Kazakh-Chinese border. The working group will include representatives of transport, customs and border departments of the two countries. The first meeting of the group is scheduled for the end of August in Urumqi.
Shakkaliev added that the ministry analyzed strategically important imports and identified commodity items for which Kazakhstan can increase production and exports. Chairman of the National Association of Oilseed Processors Yadykar Ibragimov said that more than 20 Kazakh oil plants are included in the register of State Technical Institutions of the People’s Republic of China, which will allow them to export products. Representative of the Mahimus company Serikbol Abdikarimov proposed creating export hubs to reduce transport costs.