By the beginning of 2024, the share of imported goods in the Kazakhstan clothing and footwear market has decreased to 6.5%, compared to 10% in 2023. In particular, in the footwear market, this figure is no more than 5%. Chinese products dominate the import segment of the light industry market, the portal 24.kz reports.
In the expert community of Kazakhstan, it is believed that this situation is due to favorable conditions not only for imports but also for the re-export of goods initially imported into Kazakhstan, especially to Russia. According to some data, up to a third of light industry products imported from China remain in Kazakhstan. However, the growth in imports and re-exports determines the high share of imports in the Kazakhstani light industry market.
According to the economist Bauyrzhan Iskakov, tax and related economic incentives are necessary for the development of the industry in Kazakhstan. This is particularly relevant considering that, for example, industry expenses on utilities and real estate rent "often make up to 40% of the final price of light industry products."
At the same time, there are plans for accelerated development of the leather and sewing sub-industry in Kazakhstan. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, it is planned to annually implement 5 investment projects for the processing of agricultural animal hides by 2028. The total capacity of enterprises will be no less than 5 million hides per year. Additionally, by the end of the current decade, projects for processing wool with a total capacity of up to 25 thousand tons per year will be launched. Kazakhstan has abundant raw materials for these endeavors.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
January 29, 2024