ASTANA – The capital’s Halyk Markasy (People’s Mark) shopping centre sells products from about 100 Kazakh companies. One of the reasons for the dynamic development of the centre is the free rent.
“The recently opened Halyk Markasy shopping centre is being replenished with more and more Kazakh products. All the products on the shelves of the shopping centre are made by the hands of domestic manufacturers. The quality of the goods is better or the same – but definitely not worse – than imported ones. Prices are reasonable. The quality is high. Products under the brand ‘Made in KZ’ are finding their niche,” said President of the Federation of Quality Control of Kazakhstan’s Goods and Services Rimma Tazhibayeva.
According to her, almost all products, from pillows to furniture, were imported from abroad until recently.
“The situation today has changed. Kazakh producers are ready to present their products to consumers,” she said.
As of today, the turnover has amounted to more than 30 million tenge. There are more than 10,000 units of domestic production. Another 500 domestic brands are expected to land on shelves there soon, bringing the number of products to more than 100,000 units.
“In anticipation of EXPO 2017, a tourist map has been made of our city. All guests of the international exhibition will be guided by it. The map will only contain those stores where domestic products are sold. By that time, seven duty free markets will have opened,” stated Tazhibayeva.
Also there will be a project to create 100 new brands under Halyk Markasy, dedicated to the EXPO 2017. The project plans to gather well-known artists, athletes and members. One hundred new Kazakh brands of food products, furniture, home goods, clothing and shoes will be launched.
The mall has also presented Adoka, first children’s sportswear brand, dedicated to two-time Olympic silver medalist Adilbek Niyazymbetov. The brand is supported by the akimat (region administration) of the Mangystau region and the Association of Light Industry. This brand is one of the first brands of the Made in Kazakhstan National Brands Agency. Already more than 15,000 of its new items are on order.
