Archives

  • Top 5 Benefits of Exporting for SMEs

    Boxes marked for export which UKTI aims to encourage

    Posted 16/06/2015

    Export is a key factor in the success of the UK economy. The UK government is always keen to encourage companies to either grow their business overseas or expand their export operations. The Government has set an export target of £1 trillion by 2020 and in order to achieve this level of export activity, persuading the UK’s SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) to branch out to foreign markets will be vital. Businesses of all sizes trade internationally every day, but small businesses often shy away from export on the mistaken assumption that export markets remain the preserve of much larger businesses.

    According to UK Trade & Investment, “Exporting needn’t be difficult. Nor does it matter which country you’re looking at, what industry sector you’re in or what level your business is at.”

    But what are the advantages of export, particularly for SMEs?

    Read More…

    Posted in: Export, New markets, Opportunities for SMEs

  • Why Kazakhstan?

    Pinpoint Kazakhstan on the map

    Posted 26/03/2015

    There are plenty of testimonials out there about how exports have not only transformed the growth of a business, but also secured its future. When you’re considering potential export markets, there are, of course, many factors to consider, but ultimately, it’s about where your products, services or new technologies will sell. Put aside all the practicalities of export for a moment (because in fact it could well be easier than you think!) and simply think about where your business could be in demand. And it’s not always in the most obvious places! Introducing Kazakhstan…

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    Posted in: Export, New markets

  • Time to add Kazakhstan to your Export Portfolio?

    Posted 29/01/2015

    According to research by British Chambers of Commerce, Kazakhstan provided one of the busiest trading lines for British e-commerce companies in 2014.  This is great news for UK SMEs which might be considering branching out into exports for the first time.  Export opportunities for SMEs in Kazakhstan have never been better – in this week’s blog, we look at why.

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    Posted in: Export, New markets, Opportunities for SMEs

  • UK Businesses encouraged to collaborate and export

    Posted 15/10/2014

    The operators of Kazakhstan’s largest oil fields, Kashagan, Karachaganak and Tengiz announced last month that they were to establish a joint venture engaged in the drilling and engineering fields.

    Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Energy Minister, Uzakbai Karabalin, was keen to emphasise that “With [this] active phase of expansion.. high-tech types of service and equipment will be needed, and we will need to use every opportunity to establish competent local companies.” He went on to say that “[The] optimal option is to set up joint ventures with world leaders with the assistance of advanced technologies.”

    Could your manufacturing/service SME seize this opportunity?

    It is well known that Kazakh companies often lack the experience, knowledge for complex oil, gas sector services, creating a huge opportunity for foreign companies to forge a way into the market to bridge the gaps in expertise. And this is no ordinary overseas market. One of the five Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan is rich with hydrocarbon reserves. The country’s production comes mainly from five onshore fields – Tengiz, Karachaganak, Aktobe, Mangistau, and Uzen – and two offshore fields – Kashagan and Kurmangazy, which are both located in the Caspian Sea.

    Sheer market potential is HUGE!

    The recoverable oil reserves of the Kashagan field are estimated at 11 billion barrels, whilst total geological raw material reserves stand at 35 billion barrels. In addition, natural gas reserves are estimated at over 1 trillion cubic metres. The Tengiz oil field is one of the deepest and largest oil fields in the world. Reserves of the deposit are estimated at 750 million to 1.1 billion tons (6-9 billion barrels) of recoverable oil. Karachaganak is another of the world’s largest oil fields. Its reserves amount to 1.2 billion tons, while those of natural gas are 1.35 trillion cubic metres.

    Total oil production in Kazakhstan amounted to 81.7 million tons last year which is 3.2 percent more than in 2012. The forecasts show after 2020 around two million barrels of oil will be produced in Kazakhstan per day. The country plans to produce 83 million tons of oil, 41 billion cubic meters of gas, as well as to process 14.7 million tons of oil in 2014.

    Could your SME collaborate?

    There are lots of companies in Kazakhstan who are looking to collaborate with overseas companies with the right skills and expertise. If you your SME is part of the high tech services industry or manufactures specialist equipment, particularly with applications in the oil/gas sector, now is the time to consider the type of growth your business could achieve by exporting to Kazakhstan. With many years experience of trading in country, we can help you make the connections you need to get started and smooth the way to working successfully in Kazakhstan.

    Interested? To find out more about the opportunities available, call us on 01935 315055 or get in touch via the website.

    Posted in: Uncategorized

  • Overcoming barriers to export

    Posted 23/09/2014

     

    A recent article in the ICAEW’s Economia magazine highlighted that one of the main blockers to businesses choosing to export to a foreign country was concern about difficulties understanding local culture. Overseas UK embassies often fall short when it comes to business expertise, even if such resource is available, so there can be little help on hand for companies struggling to adjust to local business practice and customs.

    But if businesses don’t find a way to bridge this gap, could they be missing out on some of the most lucrative export markets? Kazakhstan is a country the size of the whole of Western Europe, with a wealth of natural resources and in particular a flourishing oil and gas industry. The country plans to produce 83 million tons of oil, 41 billion cubic meters of gas, as well as to process 14.7 million tons of oil in 2014. These industries are huge and the potential to break into the market is not to be underestimated, particularly as Kazakh companies may not always have the necessary experience and knowledge for complex oil and gas sector services. And yet most British probably have little idea of local Kazakh culture, let alone business practice and procedure. Worse still, some may be influenced by fictional comedic characters of yesteryear which portray an inaccurate and misleading image.

    So how can UK SMEs overcome such issues and seize this opportunity, without having to commit time and money to detailed research and building business relationships from scratch?

    The simplest way is to link up with a company which already has the necessary experience and knowledge. With any luck, they will also have the contacts and business relationships to get your product or service to market in the quickest time possible. Moreover, it can save potential exporters perhaps months or years of research and groundwork in getting to grips with local regulatory and tax requirement and all that may be necessary to get started. With the right advice, companies can avoid the prospect of making mistakes early in their export journey into a new country, like Kazakhstan.

    Like the idea of bringing your products or services straight to a vast new market? If so, get in touch – we have nearly twenty years of experience of running and helping business in Kazakhstan with a vast array of contacts and advice to help your SME hit the ground running! Can you afford not to make contact with Kazopp?

    Posted in: Opportunities for SMEs