Bakhyt Sultanov reported to the population

Nur-Sultan, June 22, 2021. Today, the Minister of Trade and Integration Bakhyt Sultanov held a reporting meeting in front of the population.

The minister said that the economic and social unrest caused by COVID-19 has had a strong impact on global trade. According to United Nations UNCTAD, international trade declined by 9% in 2020: trade in goods by 6% and trade in services by 16.5%.

At the same time, Kazakhstan's foreign trade turnover in 2020 increased by 13% ($85 billion). non-primary exports of goods and services decreased by 13.5% (to 2 20.4 billion rubles). He also said that quarantine restrictions and supply chain disruptions led to a drop in demand for non-food products by almost 20% (from $56.7 to $45.5 billion).

"To ensure the stability of the domestic market and the projected volume of exports, we plan to conclude forward contracts with our neighboring countries (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran and the Russian Federation) for the mutual supply of potatoes, onions, carrots and cabbage during the off-season and the harvest period. During the mass harvest period, we can supply about 765 thousand tons of vegetables to neighboring countries. At the same time, our market will be provided with 280 thousand tons of imported early vegetables in a timely manner. As a result, the expected dynamics of price fluctuations for these products will be in the range of 7-10%, " Bakhyt Sultanov said.

Moreover, in order to increase non-primary exports, the Ministry conducts a proactive export policy. Thus, 16 priority types of products have been identified, with a forecast of an increase in exports of $ 13.5 billion.

"With each exporter, we work out literally "in manual mode". So, a couple of weeks ago, the Ministry together with the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the State of Qatar helped to remove the export barrier to the Kazakh producer of meat products "Halal" - the company "May Day delicacies" (beef and lamb stew, sausage products, semi-finished meat products: sausages for frying, beef steaks, cutlets), " the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan said.

It is noted that the company signed a long-term contract for delivery to Qatar, and the first batch passed all import procedures in Qatar without problems. But the second batch was stuck for unclear reasons at customs.

"Together with the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we worked on this issue and the business was able to fulfill its obligations under the contract. And now the products of the Kazakh company "May Day Delicacies" are sold in Qatar, " Bakhyt Sultanov said.