Extenda brings Andalusian companies closer to opportunities in Kazakhstan

The country is experiencing a process of technological and economic diversification

The CEO of Extenda, Vanessa Bernad, opened the day together with the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Spain, Konstantin Zhigalov, highlighting the importance of the country, the ninth in the world by size and the economic center of the Central Asia region.

A total of 63 Andalusian companies from different sectors of activity participated yesterday, Wednesday, April 24, in the 'Technical day on Business Opportunities in Kazakhstan', organized by the Ministry of the Presidency, Public Administration and Interior, through Extenda-Andalusian Foreign Promotion Agency, to inform about the market opportunities that exist in the country for Andalusian firms.

La CEO of Extenda, Vanessa Bernad, inaugurated the day with the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Spain, Konstantin Zhigalov, highlighting the importance of the country, the ninth in the world by size and the economic center of the region of Central Asia. Furthermore, he stated, the country is experiencing a process of technological and economic diversification “in which collaboration with foreign companies plays an important role.”

Bernard stressed that the Asian country's economy is expanding, with GDP growth of 4,1% in 2018, according to the Central Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This growth, together with the increase in the average income of its population, means that in the medium term this market presents “business opportunities in sectors such as industrial and consumer goods, agri-food, energy or construction services,” as he noted.

After the inauguration, the person in charge of the Extenda antenna in Kazakhstan and founding partner of ESKZ Global, Adolfo Romero de Marcelo, showed attendees the fundamental keys that companies that want to do business in Kazajstán. Next, the deputy director of the Presidency of Cofides, Raúl Moreno, explained the fundamentals of project financing in the country.

Finally, the Airbus Military Aircraft Sales Director in Central Asia, Victoria Vallecillos, told the business experience of Airbus Military in Kazakhstan. At the end of the interventions, attendees were able to hold bilateral meetings with the speakers to resolve doubts or delve deeper into aspects of their interest.

Companies participating in the day

Of the Andalusian companies that participated in the event, a total of 26 come from the province of Seville; another 12 are based in Cordoba; nine in Malaga, seven in Cadiz; four are from Jaen; three of Almeria; and two of Granada. The organization of this action by extend will be co-financed with funds from the European Union the PO FEDER of Andalusia 2014-2020, endowed with a community contribution of 80%.

Andalusian exports to Kazakhstan

Bilateral trade between Andalucía y Kazajstán has advanced significantly in the last decade (2009-2018), when its value has multiplied by 25 to go from 7,9 million euros in 2009 to 210 million in 2018.

In this period, Andalusian exports to Kazajstán have tripled, rising by 242% and going from 2,2 million in 2009 to 7,6 million in 2019. It is a growth rate twice as high as the national average (123%), which places Andalusia among the eight most exporting communities Spain to Kazakhstan.

El foreign trade of Andalusia with Kazakhstan It is quite diversified, since industrial, agri-food and consumer products appear among the first ten export chapters. The first chapter is aeronautics, with 3,1 million in 2018, 40% of the total; followed by machines and mechanical devices, with 1,4 million, 18,1% and an increase of 29,2% since 2009; and oilseeds and industrial plants, with 671.000 euros in 2018, 8,8% of the total.

Extenda support in Kazakhstan

extend supports Andalusian firms that want to access or consolidate their business in Kazakhstan through information, training, consulting and promotion programs and services, which it adapts to their individual needs taking into account the potential growth sectors in the country. Likewise, it provides direct support to companies in Kazajstán through the Business Antenna located in its capital, Astana, in operation since 2015.