Tokayev calls for greater use of air transport to boost agricultural exportsPresident Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has said that Kazakhstan’s air transport potential should be used more actively to ensure uninterrupted deliveries of domestic agricultural products to export markets.“According to expert forecasts, global consumption of red meat will rise to 233 million tonnes in the next ten years. Kazakhstan could become a major supplier, primarily to Asian countries. In terms of lamb exports, we currently lag behind Mongolia, the Netherlands, Spain and France. But we have larger pasture resources. We need to create proper conditions to fully unlock the export potential of sheep farming,” Tokayev said at a forum of agricultural workers.He noted strong interest from Gulf countries in stable, year-round supplies of Kazakh meat products. However, air transport of agricultural goods is neither coordinated nor properly regulated.“Entrepreneurs are often left alone to deal with the logistics. Today I was informed that meat is being shipped to the Emirates on regular passenger flights. This is not an acceptable situation,” he said.Tokayev added that the airports of Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, Aktobe, Karaganda and Aktau—given the benefits available in special economic zones—have the capacity to become regional logistics hubs integrated into international air routes.“Their full-scale operation in this capacity will ensure uninterrupted supplies of agricultural products to export markets. The government needs to thoroughly work through this issue,” he said. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX