Prime Minister Comments on Trade Data Discrepancies Between Kazakhstan and China

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov addressed the issue of discrepancies in trade data between Kazakhstan and China, reports Orda.kz.

According to the State Revenue Committee (KGD), in 2024, the reported discrepancy in import data from China to Kazakhstan amounted to $18.3 billion, with a 48.2% difference.

Bektenov acknowledged that the issue “requires ongoing attention.”

As for the discrepancy in mirror statistics with China — this is a known issue. We are in constant communication with our Chinese counterparts,
he said during a press conference.

He emphasized that not all discrepancies necessarily indicate smuggling and noted that differences in data collection methodologies could play a role.

For example, goods leaving China that transit through Kazakhstan en route to third countries may be counted by the Chinese side as imports to Kazakhstan. In reality, those goods never enter Kazakhstan and are therefore not included in our customs data. That is just one reason — there are several such factors,
Bektenov explained.

At the same time, he acknowledged that the existence of statistical discrepancies is a strong signal that the issue should not be overlooked.

To be fair, the share of discrepancies has declined this year — from 46% to 41%, if I’m not mistaken. We will continue working on it,
 the Prime Minister concluded.

The International Center for Cross-Border Cooperation “Khorgos” has long had a problematic reputation. Numerous officials have been arrested there over the years.

The so-called “Khorgos case” alone resulted in 80 convictions, including the head of the center, Vasiliy Ni, who was caught accepting a $1 million bribe.

Original Author: Zhadra Zhulmukhametova