Russia has intensified attempts to evade sanctions through Kazakhstan – media

Sources believe that the increased interest of Russian business is related to Turkey’s plans to fight the transit of sanctioned goods.

In recent weeks, Russian companies have flooded their Kazakh partners with new requests to help them bypass Western sanctions and import goods. Reuters reported this on Friday, March 17.

In order to sell thousands of goods banned by the West, Russian traders have created a complex network of supply chains through third countries to avoid restrictions. In particular, many goods are imported through Turkey and former Soviet republics. Sources say they have seen an increase in requests from Russia for help in getting everything from bearings and aircraft parts to rare earth metals across the Kazakh border.

Two media sources directly linked the increased interest of Russian business to reports of Turkey’s plans to combat the transit of sanctioned goods. In particular, a Kazakh businessman said he was offered $1 million to help transport a truckload of rare earths from Australia.

The Russians have a long shopping list that includes industrial equipment, railroad bearings, advanced electronics, radio equipment, turbines, aircraft parts, raw materials and supplies for bank cards.

The media recalled that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, during a visit to the region this month, urged Central Asian countries to comply with sanctions and promised to help them cope with collateral damage.

But a Central Asian official, speaking to reporters during Blinken’s visit, said governments could do little to prevent traders from re-exporting goods to Russia.

Turkey, a NATO member, said last month it was not exporting goods that could be used in Russia’s war effort after the US warned against exporting chemicals, microchips and other more items. Ankara has also said it will not allow the violation of Western sanctions in or through Turkey and is taking steps to prevent it.

Russia remains Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner. Kazakhstan’s exports to Russia rose by a quarter to $8.8 billion last year. At the same time, Kazakhstan dramatically increased its imports of computers from Europe and Taiwan, although it is unclear how many were re-exported to Russia. The growth of trade was so rapid that Kazakh customs were overwhelmed.

The media said that such a business is associated with additional costs. According to the businessman, Kazakh businessmen who resell goods in Russia are usually entitled to a 12% VAT refund, but those who move “suspicious goods” do not file it in order not to put at risk the entire supply chain.

Let’s recall that we previously reported that Kazakhstan closed its trade representative office in Russia.

Germany is waiting for the first batch of oil from Kazakhstan instead of Russian

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