How to begin your Export Success Story
Often export success stories involving businesses tapping into the huge potential market in Kazakhstan cite the need to take the long term view. Many large corporates emphasise the importance of taking time to establish local partnerships and relationships.
Companies who have built up experience within the country place high value not only on partnerships, but also upon another virtue – patience. The volume of government regulation can appear daunting initially, especially for those without local help or experience.
But how many SMEs can afford the time and expense involved in developing business relationships? And will it all be worth it?
When you realise that you’re talking about a country which is geographically larger than the whole of Western Europe – a fact which alone commands attention – potential rewards are exciting. Kazakhstan has a population of 17 million people and has been led by President Nazarbayev since becoming independent of the former Soviet Union in 1991. Notwithstanding its own size, the country is dwarfed by its neighbours, China and Russia and yet scored ahead of these superpowers on its borders in a 2014 World Bank survey on the ease of doing business in various countries.
The fact that several countries, including China, Canada and some from Western Europe continue to eye the country’s potential, attracted perhaps by the wealth of its natural resources, particularly oil and gas, speaks volumes. In addition, the government has begun to implement reforms in the energy sector and simplify regulatory requirements, for example, as to visas, which should make it even easier to do business there.
As for the business relationships, the easiest way to get around this is to let an agent with the relevant knowledge, experience and contacts represent you, your products or services. This way any burden upon cash flow can be neatly avoided, not to mention a raft of time consuming research and business relationship building. Exports can be directed straight to the right buyer and market and with the additional advantage of accessible advice as to local business practices and procedures, there need be no sleepless nights worrying about business faux pas.
Makes sense, right? Let us do the talking for you. What have you got to lose?
If you’re interested in setting up exports to Kazakhstan or getting help with doing business there, get in touch.