Iran’s trade with Kazakhstan stood at 729,000 tons worth $265.2 million in the fiscal 2021-22 (ended March 20), registering a 71% and 29% year-on-year growth in volume and value, respectively, according to the spokesman of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration.
Exports hit 512,000 tons worth 187.2 million, registering a 51% and 11% growth in weight and value, respectively.
Agricultural products, livestock and food products, construction materials, home appliances, petroleum products, electronics, industrial machinery, bags, shoes and clothing, minerals and agricultural implements were Iran's main exports to Kazakhstan last year, ILNA reported.
Imports stood at 217,000 tons worth $78 million, registering a 141% and 108% year-on-year growth in weight and worth, respectively.
Essential goods, road tractors and industrial machinery were the main imported goods from Kazakhstan during the period.
“A 20-year review of bilateral trade shows the 2001-10 decade saw more imports from Kazakhstan and the 2011-22 saw increasing exports from Iran,” Rouhollah Latifi added.
In the past 20 years, more than 15.4 million tons worth $6 billion were traded between the two countries, of which 4.2 million tons worth $2.32 billion were Iran’s exports and $11.19 million tons worth $3.64 billion were imports from Kazakhstan.
From the fiscal 2002-3 to 2021-22, Iran’s exports to Kazakhstan increased from $51 million to $187.2 million. The highest value of exports in these 20 years was registered in the fiscal 2013-14 and the lowest in the fiscal 2004-05.
According to the IRICA spokesman, from fiscal 2003-4, Iran’s import declined from $262 million to $37 million, such that the highest import value was registered in the fiscal 2007-8 and the lowest in the fiscal 2020-21.
Economic Agreements
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, in Tehran on Sunday.
They agreed to boost the level of economic ties and signed a series of cooperation agreement.
According to Raisi, Iran and Kazakhstan can promote cooperation in various fields, such as agriculture, industry, transportation and energy, as well as in oil and gas industries.
“Cooperation with Caspian Sea neighbors has priority for the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the president said, highlighting the common views of Iran and Kazakhstan about regional and international issues, Tasnim News Agency reported.
The president of Kazakhstan also co-chaired the joint meeting of high-ranking delegations with his Iranian counterpart.
The two presidents participated in an online ceremony of the launch of the first container train from Kazakhstan to Turkey through the territory of Iran.
The first container train on Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Turkey route, carrying a consignment of sulfur, arrived at Tehran’s train station from Incheh Borun border at 16:00 hours on Saturday.
Marking the activation of the transit corridor, the train will continue its journey to Turkey and Europe. It has 24 wagons and 48 twenty-foot containers, IRNA reported.
Nurlan Sauranbayev chairman of Kazakhstan National Railways who recently accompanied a high-ranking delegation to Iran, said in a meeting with Miad Salehi, the CEO of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, that the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding, based on which part of the freight carried along the China-Russia-Europe rail corridor will be redirected through China-Kazakhstan-Iran-Turkey rail transportation route.
They signed another MoU for expanding the Tehran-Nur-Sultan rail transportation ties, set preferential transportation tariffs and help increase transit through the two countries.
