"China has always been a partner of Kazakhstan, particularly in the fields of trade and economy," Elarlyeva Akkin explained, Executive Director of the Almaty Branch of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Republic of Kazakhstan "Atameken" (referred to as "Atameken Chamber"). The Atameken Chamber, responsible for international exchanges and cooperation, has been committed to promoting economic and trade cooperation between Kazakhstan and China. One its key initiatives is fostering collaboration with Guangdong Province.

"Many electronic products, automobiles, toys, and textiles produced in Guangdong Province are highly popular in Kazakhstan. Likewise, Guangdong serves as an important market for Kazakh agricultural products and specialties," Akkin stated. Over the years, China has been one of Kazakhstan's largest trading partners, and Kazakhstan is China's largest trading partner in the Central Asian region.

According to data, the total import and export volume of goods between China and Kazakhstan reached $31.17 billion in 2022, marking a remarkable 23.6% year-on-year increase and setting a new historical record. Specifically, China's exports to Kazakhstan amounted to $16.36 billion, showing a growth of 17.4%, while imports from Kazakhstan totaled $14.82 billion, indicating a significant rise of 31.3%.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, and as a significant component of this Initiative, the China-Europe Railway Express has consistently achieved record-high numbers of operations. Akkin believes that the Belt and Road Initiative explains the reason why new avenues of development and infrastructure have emerged. Almaty serves as a key point along the Belt and Road, acting as a vital link for goods to travel from China to Europe. Thanks to the China-Europe Railway Express, Almaty has also experienced rapid economic growth.

In May 2023, the leaders of China and Kazakhstan signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption during their meeting, allowing citizens of both countries to stay visa-free for up to 30 days in each other’s country. With the upcoming "mutual exemption" between China and Kazakhstan, Akkin has expressed that this policy will facilitate quicker and more convenient travel for many Kazakhstani entrepreneurs to Guangdong Province. They will have the opportunity to participate in the Canton Fair and engage in economic and trade exchanges.

哈萨克斯坦商会：中国一直是哈萨克斯坦的合作伙伴

“中国一直是哈萨克斯坦的合作伙伴，特别是在贸易和经济方面。”负责国际交流合作的哈萨克斯坦阿塔梅肯全国企业家商会阿拉木图分会（以下简称“阿塔梅肯商会”）执行董事埃拉利耶娃·阿克金介绍，阿塔梅肯商会一直致力于推动哈萨克斯坦和中国的经贸合作，其中，推动与广东的合作是商会工作主要内容之一。

“很多广东生产的电子产品、汽车、玩具、纺织品在哈萨克斯坦备受欢迎，同时，广东也是哈萨克斯坦农产品和特产的重要市场。”阿克金说。多年来，中国是哈萨克斯坦最大贸易伙伴之一。而哈萨克斯坦是中国在中亚地区最大的贸易伙伴。

数据显示，2022年全年，中哈货物进出口总额311.7亿美元，同比增长23.6%，创历史新高。其中，中国对哈出口163.6亿美元，增长17.4%；自哈进口148.2亿美元，增长31.3%。

今年是“一带一路”倡议提出第十年，作为“一带一路”倡议的重要组成部分，中欧班列的开行数量也屡创新高。阿克金认为，正是有了“一带一路”倡议，才有了新的发展之路、新的基础设施。阿拉木图是“一带一路”上的节点，通过大道通衢，货物可从中国通达欧洲。在中欧班列的助力下，阿拉木图也实现了经济快速发展。

今年5月，中哈两国元首在会晤中签署相互免签制度，两国公民可在对方国家免签停留30天。随着中哈“互免”即将到来，阿克金表示，这一政策将助力更多哈萨克斯坦企业家更快捷方便到广东，参加广交会，进行经贸交流。

文 | 羊城晚报全媒体记者 王丹阳 李志文
图、视频 | 羊城晚报全媒体记者 曾育文 李志文 黎杰文
翻译 | 林佳岱、陈萱