Kazakh companies should learn more about the Chinese market and promote their exports to China, said Azamat Askaruly, former vice minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, during a recent interview.

According to Askaruly, Kazakhstan launched an export acceleration program for non-resource producers this year and 27 of the 35 Kazakh companies that took part in the third China International Import Expo (CIIE), which took place in Shanghai in November, are participants of the program.

Askaruly added that Kazakhstan enterprises should strengthen their understanding of the Chinese market as it is huge and complex.

This year, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Trade and Integration established a direct communication system with the country's business community. The system has promoted the development of border trade between Kazakhstan and China and the export of epidemic prevention materials to Russia, said Askaruly.

Askaruly also noted that 2019 foreign trade data showed that the trade volume between Kazakhstan and its top 10 economic and trade partners accounts for up to 75 percent of the nation's total annual trade volume, with China and Russia being the most important trading partners.

Ayan Yerenov, chairman of the Board of the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan, said during an interview after the third CIIE, "The Chinese market is a huge attraction for Kazakh companies, and Kazakhstan attaches great importance to the CIIE as a platform for expanding exports."

Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Zhang Xiao recently pointed out that since the beginning of this year, while carrying out all-round cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, China and Kazakhstan have continued to promote high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

From January to October, China-Kazakhstan trade volume reached $18.19 billion, up 2.3 percent year-on-year against the trend, according to Zhang.