Kazakhstan businesses are gearing up to participate in the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) on a larger scale than ever before to showcase a wider array of Kazakh products, said Arman Shakkaliyev, Kazakhstan's minister of Trade and Integration.

As one of China's neighbors, Kazakhstan has been an active participant of the CIIE since 2018. The nation's involvement in the expo gained further momentum after the launch of its export acceleration program in 2020.

The Kazakh pavilion at the 6th CIIE attracts many buyers. [Photo/Xinhua]

The export acceleration program, designed to bolster Kazakh firms' international presence and enhance export capabilities, has been pivotal in motivating companies to explore global markers.

The QazTrade Policy Development Center, operator of the program, mobilized over 40 Kazakh organizations and enterprises to participate in the 6th CIIE, where they secured a large number of orders.

"Exporters from Kazakhstan show great interest in the CIIE," said Egemberdieva Asel Yerikovna, deputy chief executive officer of QazTrade. She also recognized the CIIE as a valuable channel for showcasing Kazakh products to the vast Chinese market.

Kazakh enterprise Golden Camel, one of the beneficiaries of the CIIE, has established itself as a recognizable brand in the Chinese market. Over the course of six consecutive years participating in the expo, Golden Camel has witnessed a surge in orders from Chinese buyers, solidifying its position as a leading global producer with the ability to process 100 metric tons of fresh camel milk daily.

Camel milk powder products from Golden Camel are showcased at the 6th CIIE. [Photo/Xinhua]

Botakoz Yelshibek, who served as a Kazakh volunteer at the CIIE since 2020, found her calling in Kazakh-China trade after being inspired by the expo's global reach and trade opportunities. Transitioning from a volunteer to an exhibitor in 2023, Yelshibek aims to introduce a wider variety of Kazakh cuisine to the Chinese market through the CIIE platform.

Botakoz Yelshibek participates in the 3rd CIIE as a volunteer. [Photo/Xinhua]

A few years back, Kazakh newspaper Kazakhstanskaya Pravda highlighted in a report that China's drive to increase the import of foreign goods not only contributes to its own economic growth but also benefits numerous other nations. The firsthand experiences and successes of Kazakh exhibitors in past editions of the expo serve as a vivid testament to the validity of this observation.

As the 7th CIIE approaches in the coming months, it will once again provide a gateway for the people of Kazakhstan into the vast Chinese market. Anticipation is high that Kazakhstan and China will strengthen their relations during this year's expo.

Sources: People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, cctv.com, CCTV News app, China News Service, chinanews.com, Heilongjiang Daily, Jiefang Daily, Wenhui Daily, International Business Daily, WeChat account: DQRB6696060, WeChat account: kazembchina, Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Kazakhstan, official website of PwC