Processed goods as a key source of revenue
The nature of competition in the global market has fundamentally changed. Whereas volume and price once played a decisive role, today modern technologies, quality of processing, and financial terms have come to the forefront. Relying solely on raw material exports can no longer ensure long-term economic sustainability. Therefore, increasing the level of processing and improving product quality has become a key priority. One of the systemic steps in this direction is the set of financial insurance instruments offered by the Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan (ECA).
In general, buyers place importance on payment terms, financing costs, and transaction security. Suppliers offering deferred payment terms often gain a competitive advantage. In such conditions, managing financial risks becomes a strategic priority for the national economy. Export credit agencies help bridge this gap by expanding the capabilities of producers.
Institutional changes in economic policy have influenced the transformation of the foreign trade structure. The transition of public services to digital formats has increased transparency in procedures and reduced decision-making time. This has strengthened activity in the manufacturing sector and contributed to the launch of new production facilities.
The results of the past year demonstrate tangible progress. The volume of support provided to processed goods suppliers exceeded 650 billion tenge, marking a twofold increase compared to 2024. The total economic impact of supported projects is estimated at 2.3 trillion tenge. These figures reflect the multiplier effect of financial instruments: a single transaction can drive the expansion of multiple industries, create jobs, and increase tax revenues.
Out of 121 enterprises that received support, 20 used such mechanisms for the first time. The majority of projects belong to small and medium-sized businesses. Activity in sectors such as metallurgy, agro-industry, chemicals, and food production indicates a gradual increase in industrial complexity.
“One of the key barriers in international trade is the shortage of working capital. Foreign buyers often require deferred payment terms, which can disrupt production cycles. Pre-export financing is designed to address this issue. Affordable financing provided through second-tier banks enables companies to cover production costs in a timely manner,” said ECA Chairman of the Management Board, Allen Shaizhunisov.
The company RG Brands Kazakhstan, which utilized this instrument, managed to maintain stable supply operations. The total production capacity of its facilities reaches hundreds of millions of liters. Financing and reinsurance mechanisms reduced risks when working with foreign trading partners and ensured contract stability, allowing the company to maintain its export momentum.
“Accounts receivable insurance facilitates cooperation with new partners. The ability to offer deferred payments creates favorable conditions for buyers. Bayan Sulu, having used this instrument, expanded its export reach and increased delivery volumes. A flexible payment structure strengthened its competitive position in foreign markets, resulting in a growing number of new partners,” Shaizhunisov noted.
Reducing financial risks creates conditions for phased production expansion. The enterprise Prima Kus reports that it was able to continue construction of its production facilities as planned. Financial stability has strengthened its position in both domestic and foreign markets. Company representatives emphasize that reliable financial instruments encourage businesses to enter new agreements with greater confidence.
Projects in the chemical industry also demonstrate changes in the export structure. The enterprise Zhezkazgan Yellow Phosphorus Plant (ZhZhFZ) covers the full production cycle—from raw material extraction to finished goods. Supplies of yellow phosphorus are exported to Europe, the United States, and India. Insurance solutions for deliveries to the United Arab Emirates have helped expand export capacity. Such examples confirm the growing share of high value-added products in international markets.
Credit risk insurance allows companies with insufficient collateral to attract financing. A Baa1 rating from Moody’s enhances the reliability of insurance coverage, improves access to tenge-denominated loans, and reduces risk levels for financial institutions.
The strengthening of the risk management system is closely linked to the development of reinsurance. Agreements with international partners have improved the resilience of the insurance portfolio. The volume of obligations transferred to reinsurance reached 237.7 billion tenge, increasing by 217% over the year. This approach expands opportunities for implementing large-scale projects.
“Digital infrastructure has simplified procedures. The exporter’s personal account has fully transitioned document management to an online format. Applications, contract processing, and status tracking are all handled within a single system. The number of platform users continues to grow steadily,” said the head of ECA.
Export BS highlights the efficiency of digital services, noting transparent application tracking and prompt консультации, which enable advance planning of shipments. Administrative burden is reduced, and time is saved.
Deputy Director of Nurym Group LLP, Makhsut Shigambayev, stated: “Online applications have shortened deal execution times. Submitting documents through a unified system has significantly simplified the process. Prompt feedback positively impacts production planning.” Meanwhile, Alexey Zalevsky, CEO of Prima Kus LLP, noted that the “Exporters’ Showcase” platform enables companies to present finished products directly to international buyers. The catalog features hundreds of products from dozens of enterprises across agriculture, metallurgy, chemicals, and mechanical engineering, improving information accessibility in foreign markets.
The interaction of financial institutions allows for comprehensive support of production projects. Coordination among development institutions ensures alignment of all stages—from launching production to delivering finished goods. This approach simplifies procedures and reduces time costs.
“In today’s environment, exports are no longer a risky activity but a strategy based on precise calculations. The development of financial instruments contributes to the increasing complexity of production structures. The growing share of high value-added products indicates the transition of the economy to a new qualitative level,” Shaizhunisov emphasized.
In the long term, such institutions accelerate technological modernization and enhance industrial competitiveness. As a culture of risk management develops, stability in foreign markets strengthens. The transformation of the export structure lays the foundation for sustainable economic growth.
