Geneva, 14 May 2025 – The Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the WTO and International Economic Organizations, Mr. Kairat Torebayev, held a meeting with Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC).

The parties discussed the current state and future prospects of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the context of the regional Ready4Trade – Central Asia project, implemented with the support of the European Union. K. Torebayev expressed appreciation for the results achieved and emphasized that promoting trade, e-commerce, and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remains a national priority in line with Kazakhstan’s new economic policy outlined by the President.

During the first phase of the project, the Kazakhstan Trade Portal (tradeinfo.kz) was launched, covering over 80 product categories and attracting more than 20,000 users. A range of online courses and training programmes on cross-border trade management were developed and delivered to over 3,500 business representatives. Particular focus was placed on the development of e-commerce – Kazakhstani SMEs recorded online sales exceeding USD 500,000, and national experts were trained and certified as e-commerce advisers. Women's empowerment in trade was also a key component of the project.

Since the launch of the second phase of Ready4Trade – Central Asia, Kazakhstan and ITC have jointly identified key areas for future cooperation: the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), support for investment facilitation in the context of the future WTO Agreement on Investment Facilitation for Development, and adaptation to the requirements of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

At present, relevant national authorities in Kazakhstan are in the process of appointing national focal points for each of these areas. Kazakhstan has confirmed its readiness to begin work on the respective project components in the near future.

Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of ITC, underlined the importance of further supporting SMEs and invited Kazakhstan to participate in the Global Ministerial Conference on SMEs, to be held on 22–24 July 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa, under the auspices of ITC and hosted by the Government of South Africa. The theme of the Conference, “Charting New Frontiers for Business”, will focus on three key pillars: access to finance, digital transformation, and the green transition as drivers of trade-led economic transformation.

Ambassador Torebayev confirmed Kazakhstan’s strong interest in participating in the event, noting that strengthening the role of SMEs in international trade remains an important element of the country’s sustainable development agenda.

The Kazakh side reaffirmed its interest in active participation in future ITC initiatives and emphasized the importance of regular dialogue and coordination at both expert and political levels.

In conclusion, Ambassador Kairat Torebayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the International Trade Centre in support of sustainable economic growth and the country’s integration into the global trading system.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-wto/press/news/details/995719?lang=kk