BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 22.
Kazakhstan and Libya intend to expand trade in agricultural
products, with a focus on supplies of Kazakh grain and meat, the
Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture said.


Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov and Libya’s
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Abdul Latif Al-Taher
discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation.


Saparov noted that strengthening trade and economic
ties with Libya and expanding the presence of Kazakh agricultural
products on North African markets is a priority.


“We are ready to increase supplies of high-quality and
competitive agricultural products to the Libyan market. First of
all, we are talking about grain crops, beef and lamb. Our task is
to move from existing potential to specific trade projects, expand
business contacts and create sustainable supply channels that meet
the needs of the Libyan market. Kazakhstan has significant
resources to implement these plans,” the minister said, presenting
the capabilities of the Kazakh agro-industrial complex.


Kazakhstan’s production potential provides a solid
basis for expanding export geography. The grain harvest has
exceeded 27 million tons for two years in a row. Oilseed production
has reached 4.8 million tons, and legumes over 1 million tons. Over
the past five years, agricultural exports have doubled and exceeded
$7 billion.


In the last marketing year, 15.3 million tons of grain
were exported, 70 percent more than in the previous comparable
period.







Diversification of export destinations and development
of new markets remain among the priorities for the agricultural
sector.


Abdul Latif Al-Taher stressed the importance of
strengthening international ties in agriculture. According to him,
direct interaction between relevant agencies will help identify
promising areas of cooperation and create additional opportunities
for mutual supplies.


“We are interested in expanding cooperation,
exchanging professional experience and creating additional
opportunities for mutual supplies. I am confident that direct
dialogue will help identify the most promising areas and give a new
impetus to our trade and economic relations,” the minister
said.


The sides also paid special attention to prospects for
exporting Kazakh meat products. The country has 9.3 million head of
cattle and 24.3 million head of sheep and goats. These figures form
a substantial resource base for developing livestock farming and
expanding supplies of domestic meat to foreign markets.


To realize the export potential in practice, the sides
considered issues of veterinary and phytosanitary cooperation,
product safety, and improving trade procedures. Agreeing on
requirements for supplied products and conditions for their market
access will be an important stage of further work.