In recent weeks, Russian companies have been more actively asking their Kazakh partners to help them bypass Western sanctions and import necessary goods. It is reported by Reuters, citing seven sources.
Two interlocutors of the agency attribute the increased interest to reports of Ankara’s plans to stop the transit of sanctioned goods. Sellers and buyers have relied heavily on Turkey to circumvent restrictions by creating a complex network of supply chains through third countries.
There has been an increase in requests from Russia for assistance in delivering many goods across Kazakhstan’s land border with Russia, sources said. Its length is more than seven thousand kilometers.
Reuters cited the example of a Kazakh entrepreneur who said he was offered $1 million to help transport a truckload of rare earths from Australia.
The government of Kazakhstan did not respond to the agency’s request for comment.
Reuters notes that Moscow remains Astana’s largest trading partner. Exports from Kazakhstan increased by a quarter last year and approached $9 billion. For example, exports of bearings doubled to $111 million.
