ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Laos are seeking to expand bilateral trade by using Kazakhstan’s position as a trade and logistics bridge to connect Lao products with Central Asian and wider Eurasian markets, while opening greater access for Kazakh goods to Southeast Asia.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and President Thongloun Sisoulith with members of the Kazakh and Lao delegations during their meeting in Astana on Sept. 3. Photo credit: Prime Minister’s press service. Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, who arrived in Kazakhstan for his first official visit on Sept.
3, discussed implementing agreements reached between the two countries’ Presidents and identified agriculture, transport, logistics and digitalization as key areas for closer economic ties. Agriculture offers immediate trade potential Agriculture emerged as one of the main areas with potential for expanding trade.
Kazakhstan, a major exporter of wheat and flour with extensive arable land and pasture resources, is ready to increase supplies of grain, oilseeds, feed and meat products to Laos, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. The Lao side expressed interest in Kazakh agricultural products, while Kazakhstan is looking to increase imports from Laos, including coffee, rubber and other goods.
The officials also discussed joint processing and storage of agricultural products and the introduction of modern irrigation technologies, which could broaden cooperation beyond the exchange of finished goods. Transport links could connect two regions Transport and logistics offer a longer-term opportunity to link Central Asia with Southeast Asia.
Kazakhstan is developing major transcontinental corridors connecting China and Europe and has extensive logistics infrastructure that could facilitate Lao exports to Central Asian and European markets. At the same time, Laos could provide Kazakhstan with an additional gateway to Southeast Asian markets.
Both countries see scope for using existing transport infrastructure to strengthen these links. Kazakhstan’s logistics network includes facilities connected to major international routes, while Laos’ position and transport links with China offer access to Southeast Asian markets.
This could give both landlocked countries an opportunity to turn geography into a practical economic advantage.