NUR-SULTAN – The volume of production of light industry products in Kazakhstan increased by 18.9 percent over the first 10 months of this year compared to the same period in 2018 and amounted to 87.5 billion tenge (US$227 million), the press service of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development said Nov. 19.
“Growth of 23.7 percent is observed in the production of textiles and of 7.5 percent in the production of clothes. Today, light industry is a priority area that receives great attention from the state. This industry includes more than 20 sub-sectors, which are combined into three main groups: the textile industry makes up 52 percent, clothing production, 38 percent, and leather and related products, 10 percent,” the ministry representative said about the industry.
Kazakh light industry produces both commercial goods and goods for national services.
“Kazakhstan’s light industry enterprises produce work clothes for national companies and healthcare institutions; special uniforms for the armed forces, police and other bodies; as well as products for the population. These are outerwear – coats, men’s suits, hosiery, children’s clothing, hats, home textiles and shoes. In addition, domestic enterprises produce cotton yarn and fabrics, blended fabrics, carpets, leather,” the representative explained.
In 2018, five new projects were commissioned, including two in the territory of the Ontustyk special economic zone with a total investment of 7.3 billion tenge (US$19 million), thus creating 423 jobs. Those include the production of processing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste and the production of staple fibre, knitted women’s tights, towels, bathrobes, shoes and hay-knitting threads. In 2019, the Bal Textile project, the third workshop producing carpets and rugs, was commissioned for 1 billion tenge (US$2.6 million), creating 45 new jobs.
Currently, support for light industry enterprises is provided by the Kazakh government as part of systemic measures to develop the manufacturing industry, such as promoting the export of products, stimulating increased labour productivity, promoting goods on the domestic market, implementing the Unified Business Support and Development Programme of the Business Road Map 2020 and other programmes.
