FAISALABAD: Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin on Wednesday said that liaison between the business community between the two countries was imperative to exploit the untapped potential of bilateral trade, investment, and cultural cooperation.
The ambassador was addressing an informal reception held in his honour by President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr. Khurram Tariq.
He said that direct air links had been set up between the two nations while a trilateral rail link between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan could also be extended up to Kazakhstan.
About the banking system, the ambassador said that a deal had been signed with Al-Falah Bank, which would extend banking services to the exporters and importers by giving direct access to the National Bank of Kazakhstan. He said that Kazakhstan had adopted a liberal visa policy and businesspersons having FCCI’s recommendation letter would secure visas within only 3 days.
He said that his country had a custom-free import and export regime with its neighboring nations, and now investors and exporters settled in Kazakhstan could operate at the regional level.
Envoy Highlights Pakistan-Kazakhstan Ties
He said that both nations were enjoying shared religious and cultural values, and a proposal was being considered to declare sister cities of both countries as having the same cultural values and historic background. He commended the expertise of Pakistan in the textile field and urged its branding at the world level.
Responding to a query about poultry in Kazakhstan, the envoy said that his country was self-sufficient in food commodities while it was also exporting surplus wheat, soybean, and other agricultural products. He added that foreign investors could also avail of maximum facilities existing in its special economic zones.
Dr. Khurram Tariq, on his part, lauded the efforts of Kistafin for promoting bilateral ties between Pakistan and Kazakhstan. He also proposed that a cultural delegation should visit Kazakhstan.
