Sanctions against Russia to not affect business between Kazakhstan and EU

EU sanctions on Russia will not affect Kazakhstan's business with Europe. Belgium stands ready to assist in identifying and providing support measures for further trade cooperation between the countries. This was stated by the CEO of the Brussels Enterprises Commerce and Industry Olivier Willocx after a meeting with Kazakh Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Kairat Torebayev. The Kazakh government delegation and the leadership of the Belgian export promotion agency discussed joint measures for a mutually beneficial partnership.

“Last year, trade between Kazakhstan and Europe grew by 21 percent to US$28.9 billion. We have selected 53 different products that we can supply to the European market, worth US$200 million annually. First of all, it is the processing industry, namely agricultural products, pharmaceuticals and machinery. Our main goal now is to promote the finished products there. In terms of raw materials, we are already doing well. We supply oil to the European Union, and we see no problems with the purchase of Kazakh oil by the EU. Regarding the sanctions regime, Kazakhstan is not a party to the conflict, so we continue to fulfill all our obligations of a regional and international nature. What we need to do now is to ensure that trade with the EU continues to grow at the same pace,” Torebayev said.

“We still increased the collaboration. We have to take more steps, and especially through the COVID it was difficult to travel to your country. That's something we have to change in the next future,” noted Olivier Willocx, CEO of the Brussels Enterprises Commerce and Industry.

 

Translation by Assem Zhanmukhanova

Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova