In 2025, it will be 10 years since the Republic of Kazakhstan joined the World Trade Organization. During this time, the country has established itself as an active and responsible participant in the international trading system.

Kazakhstan's foreign trade volume increased from $76.5 billion in 2015 to $134.7 billion in 2024. Exports increased from $45.8 billion to $77.6 billion. Today, about 98 percent of Kazakhstan's foreign trade is carried out with WTO member countries.

Kazakhstan's participation in the WTO has also contributed to the growth of the country's investment attractiveness. Foreign direct investment increased from $4.1 billion in 2015 to $12.7 billion in 2024. This was made possible by the consistent implementation of a policy of transparency and predictability in business regulation.

A significant milestone for Kazakhstan was the chairmanship of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva in 2022. This event is recognized as one of the most successful in the history of WTO conferences. Following the conference, more than ten key decisions were made that contribute to the development of world trade.

In September 2024, the First Trade Policy Review of Kazakhstan was held in Geneva. Following its results, WTO member countries highly appreciated Kazakhstan's efforts to reform trade policy. In particular, simplification of procedures, increased transparency, diversification of the economy and contribution to strengthening the stability of the global trading system were noted.

Membership of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the WTO provides the country with access to a dispute resolution mechanism, which allows it to effectively protect national economic interests and prevent the introduction of unilateral trade restrictions. Due to this, other states consider Kazakhstan as a WTO member and apply appropriate procedures within the framework of the multilateral system, rather than unilateral measures.

Significant changes were made in the field of customs administration. As part of the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation, Kazakhstan has introduced electronic declaration, the Single Window system and switched to automatic data processing. The new model of customs posts and the principle of post-control have reduced the time for completing procedures from two days to 20 minutes.

WTO membership has become an important factor in the modernization of Kazakhstan's economic policy. The country will continue its course towards deep integration into international trade and will actively participate in building a fair and effective global economic architecture.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1053311?lang=kk