Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan to Diversify Trade Toward High-Value Products

Kazakh First Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Aizhan Bizhanova has said that Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are set to diversify their bilateral trade by focusing on high value-added goods rather than raw materials.

Bizhanova said the primary goal for both countries is to restructure trade flows and expand cooperation in non-resource sectors, The Caspian Post reports via local media.

“Our main task is to diversify trade. We want high value-added goods to dominate, not raw materials. This will contribute to GDP growth and help foster a new generation of producers,” she emphasized.

She also highlighted the importance of mutual promotion of national brands and products in each other’s markets.

“We want Azerbaijani products to be represented in Kazakhstan and Kazakh goods to appear in Azerbaijan. Consumers should know and buy each other’s products. In this direction, we are already launching pilot projects in retail chains,” Bizhanova added.

She also noted that the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan may reach $1 billion by 2026.

Bizhanova noted that although bilateral trade has been growing steadily, its current level still falls short of expectations.

“Last year, trade between our two countries amounted to $536 million. Our goal is to increase this figure to $1 billion over the next two years,” she said.

To achieve this, Bizhanova added, the two sides are developing a roadmap that will define specific responsibilities and timelines to boost trade cooperation and ensure progress toward the target.