Kazakhstan and Iran have held fresh talks aimed at strengthening economic ties, with senior officials discussing ways to boost cooperation in trade, transport and logistics.
The foreign ministries of both countries met in Astana on Thursday (15 January) to review progress on previously agreed initiatives and explore new areas of collaboration, local media in Kazakhstan reported.
Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Bakayev and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also discussed multilateral frameworks, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The discussions are part of an ongoing drive by the two countries to expand bilateral trade, deepen transport links and enhance regional connectivity.
Last year, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian set ambitious targets for economic engagement during a business forum in the Kazakh capital.
In December, both leaders highlighted the potential of transport corridors such as the North-South Transport Corridor and the Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran railway to boost the movement of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf.
Iranian officials have stressed the importance of expanding commercial ties as Tehran seeks access to new markets amid the challenges posed by Western sanctions.
Trade between Kazakhstan and Iran has grown in recent years, in 2024, bilateral trade was reported at around $340 million, with forecasts pointing towards substantial increases if planned initiatives are fulfilled.
Agricultural products, transport services and infrastructure development are expected to be key drivers of future growth, with Kazakhstan looking to expand exports of grain and industrial goods to Iran.
Following the meeting, both countries reaffirmed their strong mutual support for each other.
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You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
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