The tagline for Expo 2020, ‘connecting minds, creating the future’ is how the world should approach global trade. To think of cross-border transactions as simply an exchange of goods and services is to reduce a relationship to numbers on a balance sheet. Beneficial, long-lasting trade is much more than this. It builds relationships, cultural exchange and understanding between different peoples. Expo 2020’s slogan captures this, and it is why I was delighted Kusto Group and Kazbeef could take part in the Kazakhstan Trade and Investment Forum under it’s roof last week. Trade between Kazakhstan and the UAE, is a story that has barely begun.

Yerkin Tatishev
Yerkin Tatishev Yerkin Tatishev

No two countries better know the value Expo can play in sending the message that nations rich and poor are enhanced by deeper diplomatic, cultural and economic ties. Kazakhstan’s hosting of Expo 2017 in Astana was part of a wider push by the country to bring the world to us and support efforts to bring Kazakh goods, services, culture and peoples to the world. Using Dubai’s Expo 2020 as a platform for furthering that effort and deepening our relationship with the Emirates and wider Middle East is the next chapter in that story.

According to the latest figures, bi-lateral trade between the UAE and Kazakhstan reached almost half a billion dollars in 2020. Whilst heading in the right direction, it is clear this figure can be greatly improved, with the list of goods and services heading back and forth between the two countries being relatively limited. However, there have been numerous announcements and moves in the past few months that suggest a significant increase in trade volume and diversity will be realised in due course. This is only possible due to the ever-improving relationships, trust and mutual respect between our two peoples.

Earlier this year, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the UAE announced a burst of fresh bi-lateral agreements. These will see $2.2bn of investment flow from the Emirates into Kazakhstan’s mining, energy, agricultural, finance and tourism sectors. Following the multiple agreements signed at Expo 2020 this week, this will be further bolstered by a dramatic increase in trade flows heading to the UAE from Kazakhstan. As the world has opened up, both countries have hit the commercial accelerator pedal.

Kazbeef, a subsidiary of Kusto Group, was amongst those companies signing agreements on Wednesday. In partnership with Wisk Foodstuff Trading, we will supply premium-grade marble beef to some of Dubai’s top eateries. This reflects not only a greater diversity in what Kazakh exports have to offer the wider world, but also of the significant improvements made in our country’s flourishing agriculture sector. This major step-up in capability and quality is what allows Kazakhstan’s agricultural exports to be sought after in premium food markets like Dubai.

The intense competition of global trade means evert country is closely analysing what their own assets and strengths can bring to the world marketplace. I firmly believe Kazakh agriculture fits this description, capable of competing with the world’s leaders. Over 70% of our land is pastureland, but much of it isn’t farmed. By introducing cutting-edge techniques, boosting resource and land efficiency and adopting a data-driven approach, we can ensure ‘Made in Kazakhstan’ becomes a global hallmark of agricultural quality.

The Kazakh-Emirati trade relationship of the future will soon be defined as much by world-class steaks and financial services as it is by raw materials and natural resources. The partnerships agreed at Expo 2020 are a major step in ensuring the long-term prospects for this growing trade relationship are stronger than ever.

Yerkin Tatishev is the Founding Chairman of Kusto Group

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