Central Asia Strengthens Economic Ties at the CAREC Platform in Pakistan

Islamabad, May 30, 2025 – Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin took part in the 5th annual research conference of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Institute.

In his report at the panel session “Catalyzing Private Investment in Business Services for Intra CAREC Trade”, devoted to the analysis of the interconnectedness between CAREC member countries, Yerzhan Kistafin spoke about the work carried out between the Central Asian Republics (CAR), primarily in the format of consultative meetings of the Heads of CARs. He emphasized the priority importance attached by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the development of regional cooperation. He noted the main areas in which joint work is being carried out: security and stability, transport and logistics, trade and investment, climate change, development of the digital environment, as well as investment in human capital.

The Ambassador spoke about the key decisions taken by the Heads of CARs to increase trade and economic cooperation, including the introduction of e-commerce, as well as the establishment of the Central Asian Business Council. The importance of strengthening cooperation in Central Asia was particularly emphasized, including for the subsequent development of cooperation with the South Asian region, primarily Pakistan, which will help ensure the access of Central Asian countries to the markets of the Persian Gulf, Africa and Southeast Asia. For its part, Kazakhstan is ready to act as a transit hub to provide access to the markets of “Greater Eurasia”.

Along with the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, the panel session also featured the Federal Minister for Investment of Pakistan Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Director of Development of the British High Commission Jo Moir, Country Director, DAI Global Arsalan Ali Faheem, CEO Map Capital Huma Fakhar and others.