Kazakhstan explained the closure of the trade mission in the Russian Federation by optimizing the work of government agencies

The decision to close the trade representation of Kazakhstan in Russia was made in connection with the optimization of the work of government agencies and against the backdrop of a high level of interaction with the Russian Federation, reported Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic.

“As part of the process of optimizing the work of state bodies, a decision was made to terminate the work of the trade mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Russian Federation, taking into account the high level of mutual cooperation with the Russian Federation,” the message says.

They emphasized that institutional conditions have been created for Kazakh business to work in the Russian direction and resolve all operational issues. Representatives of the representative office will be sent to strengthen the diplomatic presence of Kazakhstan in other countries, the ministry added.

The abolition of the trade mission will also not require the cancellation of the intergovernmental agreement on the mutual establishment of trade missions of October 22, 1992 and will not affect the work of the Russian trade mission in the republic, they noted. At the same time, Moscow remains the main trade and economic partner of Astana, and the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Moscow and the Consulate General in St. Petersburg, Omsk, Kazan and Astrakhan will continue to promote economic diplomacy in the Russian Federation.

State Institution “Trade Representation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Russian Federation” closes on behalf of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov. Until February 15, 2023, the developed draft resolution will be under public discussion. The website of the trade mission says that the key areas of the organization are gratuitous assistance to exporters and distributors of the republic in the exit, as well as securing in the Russian market and attracting foreign investment to Kazakhstan.