OREANDA-NEWS. July 05, 2012. Since the beginning of this year, Kazakhstan has been the leading importer of KAMAZ vehicles.

From 2009 to 2011, KAMAZ exported about 15% of its products. The company plans to gradually increase the share of exports to 25%, thus, returning to the pre-crisis level of export sales. The most part of exported products will be delivered to Kazakhstan, where the market of heavy vehicles is one of the most capacious and quickly developing, therefore, it is the highest priority for KAMAZ.

There are several reasons for the high demand for KAMAZ trucks among Kazakh customers. Firstly, Kazakhstan is a country rich in natural resources, with large oil, gas and uranium pools. As is known, KAMAZ offers a wide range of special equipment which can be used in the oil and gas industry. Secondly, the economy is developing rapidly due to foreign investments, which contribute to the growth of construction. KAMAZ trucks are usually in high demand among builders. In addition, KAMAZ trucks are used in the construction of a highway which will be laid through the whole country running from China to Western Europe.

OJSC KAMAZ was one of the first to cooperate on development of Kazakhstan’s automotive industry. In order to accomplish this task and to implement "The Strategy of Industrial and Innovation Development of Kazakhstan for 2003-2015", and under resolutions of the 7th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation, AO KAMAZ-Engineering was established in August 2005. More than USD 10 million were invested in the assembly enterprise, 400 new jobs were created there, and the production volume of the plant made over 6,000 units over the whole period of its activity. It was a significant contribution to the renewal of the national truck fleet. Besides, the plant was supported by the Kazakh government and received tax allowance. In particular, when bought by Kazakh customers, KAMAZ vehicles produced by AO KAMAZ-Engineering are exempt from VAT.