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India to Restore Tea Export Status in Kazakhstan Market

Business Materials 24 April 2008 13:55 (UTC +04:00)

Kazakhstan, Astana, 24 April / Trend corr. K.Konirova / The Indian tea festival was held in Almaty and Astana through the assistance of the Indian Embassy, Trend special correspondent reported from Astana. The residents of the two cities were able to taste different varieties of well-known Indian teas, such as Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri.

"I am pleased that good quality tea in Kazakhstan has been connected with the Indian tea," Ashok Sajanhar, the Indian Ambassador to Kazakhstan, stated to journalists.

However, according to the Ambassador, India has lost its position in the Kazakhstan market. In early 1990s, almost all tea was imported to Kazakhstan from India. Today, the number decreased to 65% or 70%. "The main problem that Indian companies do not have direct access to the Kazakhstan market. Previously, we exported tea via Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, presently, we face difficulties in tea transport due to the unstable situation in the region," Sanjahar stated.

Recently, India has been taking measures to restore its tea supply to the Central Asia. According to official data, tea exports from India to Kazakhstan totaled $21mln in 2006 and $22.3mln in 2007. "I am sure that similar festivals will ensure that Indian tea becomes more popular in Kazakhstan," the Ambassador stated.

The correspondent can be contacted at: [email protected]

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