By Faiza Tehseen ISLAMABAD, March 10 (INP-WealthPK): Kazakhstan plans to host a single-country exhibition for Pakistani merchandise traders in May to help them showcase and market their products. This was stated by Kazakhstan Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin during his visits to Rawalpindi and Islamabad Chambers of Commerce and Industries, reported WealthPK. A 10-member delegation comprising Kazakh businessmen headed by Daniyar Kalimbetov also accompanied the envoy. The trade and business leaders represented multiple sectors, including construction, education, food, health and pharmaceuticals. Addressing the business community, Yerzhan Kistafin said Central Asia was emerging as a trade hub, and Pakistan and Kazakhstan should not only build on their diplomatic bonds but also enhance trade relations. He said trade would positively benefit the economies of both countries. Mr. Kistafin said, “Private sector can play a vital role in strengthening bilateral trade links,” adding Kazakhstan was interested in establishing a business council with representation from Pakistani business forums. According to the Kazakh envoy, both the countries have the potential to increase multi-sectoral trade to at least $100 million. He mentioned that Almaty was going to host a single-country exhibition of Pakistan in May, saying the event was being organised to bring the business communities of the two countries closer. Speaking to the Pakistani business leaders, Daniyar Kalimbetov said it was the first-ever visit of businessmen from Kazakhstan to Pakistan to explore business and trade opportunities in the country. He appreciated the hospitality of Pakistani business community. Meanwhile, Khalique Ahmad Khan, general secretary of Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), appreciated the Kazakh businessmen’s visit, saying such exchanges were important for promoting the trade relations between the two countries. He told WealthPK that chamber’s president Shoaib Ahmad Chaudhry had a meeting with the Kazakh delegation, and was willing to export citrus fruit to Kazakhstan. Khalique Ahmad said the chamber was also planning to open an office and warehouse in Kazakhstan for Pakistani export items. He said through access to Kazakh markets, Pakistani businessmen can reach the Russian and Western European markets. He said Pakistani traders and businessmen were keen to attend the one-country exhibition in Almaty. “The exhibition will help Pakistani business community explore new opportunities in bilateral trade.” Tajamul Hussain, the public relations officer of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told WealthPK that Kazakhstan was gateway for Pakistan to tap new markets. He said many businessmen were willing to attend the May exhibition in Almaty as they were keen to exploit the Kazakh market. However, he said high import tariffs and a lack of an easy-to-go banking system were the major hurdles. “Resolution of these issues will greatly facilitate Pakistani exporters.” Nadeem Rauf, president of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (RCCI) informed WealthPK that Pakistan can export poultry, rice, construction material, marble and pharmaceuticals to Kazakhstan. “A well-developed banking sector between the two countries is also important for boosting trade,” he said, stressing the need for launching regular passenger and cargo flights between the two countries. Mohammad Shakeel Munir, the ICCI president, said there was great potential for both countries in multiple sectors, especially small and medium enterprises. He appreciated the visit of the Kazakh business leaders to Pakistan to interact with their counterparts to explore new opportunities. “Regular exchange of such delegations will help improve socioeconomic ties between the two countries,” he said, also emphasising the need for increasing bilateral trade volume. According to the United Nations Comtrade database on international trade, during the year 2021, Pakistan exported multiple goods to Kazakhstan worth $193 million, while during the same period, goods worth $21.73 million were imported from there.