ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 30. Kazakhstan is interested in expanding exports of agricultural products to European countries, said Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov during a meeting with the European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski, Trend reports.
"The agro-industrial complex is one of the most important sectors of our economy. Taking into account the potential of our country in the production of high-quality and environmentally friendly organic agricultural products, as well as growing demand from the European side, we need to intensify work to expand the range of exports of Kazakhstani goods to the European market," Bektenov said.
In turn, Wojciechowski noted the favorable conditions created in Kazakhstan for investors and confirmed the intention of the EU countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Attention was also paid to measures to eliminate existing barriers to mutual trade and harmonize legislation.
The parties pointed out that Kazakhstan and the EU countries will continue the policy of raising quality standards for agricultural products and supporting farmers.
To note, EU countries account for more than 40 percent of attracted investments and about 30 percent of Kazakhstan’s foreign trade. Over the year, trade volume increased by 3.5 percent and reached $41.4 billion. At the same time, particular activity is observed in mutual trade in agricultural products: the indicator increased by 13.4 percent.
The main export goods of Kazakh producers to EU countries are wheat, flax seeds, rapeseed, processed grain crops, and other categories. Work is underway to increase the share of exports of highly processed products.