ALMATY (TCA) — Entrepreneurs from Kazakhstan and Afghanistan discussed opportunities for cooperation at a Kazakh-Afghan business forum held in Almaty last week. Afghan businessmen were interested in finding potential partners and searching for buyers of their products in Kazakhstan, the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan reported.
Afghan businessmen offered to Kazakhstani colleagues more than 70 names of dried fruit and nuts. After strolling along the Almaty markets, the guests compared the prices and quality.
“We noticed that you basically have dried fruits from Iran and Tajikistan. But we believe that our products are better in quality. And we are ready to offer discounts so that our goods go to the Kazakhstani market,” said the representative of the Afghan company engaged in the production of dried fruits Djuat Umit.
The problem for Afghan entrepreneurs is the lack of logistics between the two countries. The products have to be transported through Uzbekistan or Tajikistan, which will affect the value of goods.
Afghanistan currently imports many types of Kazakhstani goods, mainly consumer goods. In addition to dried fruits, Afghan producers intend to export cotton, carpets, marble and the types of goods on which Kazakhstan has canceled import duties. Among the 12 items are red raisins, apples and pomegranates.
