Dedicated export promotion policies and institutions can help SMEs overcome the barriers limiting their export potential. In the framework of Kazakhstan’s agenda to diversify its export structure and target markets, the government could strengthen the current export promotion framework by defining an SME-specific strategy and clarifying the mandates of the actors involved. Public and private export promotion actors should expand capacity-building activities and financial instruments for exporting SMEs, while the government should expand its export-promotion network abroad, and work towards the creation of a clear branding strategy for national products. Finally, policies should be continuously monitored and evaluated for their effectiveness, enabling the government to regularly adapt measures to the needs of exporters.

Unifying Kazakhstan’s export promotion support offer in a single internationalisation OSS for exporting firms would further improve the effectiveness of the framework. The government should gradually unify the export promotion ecosystem around a single national online OSS, supplemented by physical points of contact spread across the regions. To ensure the OSS is adapted to business needs, in particular those of SMEs, and that it enjoys sufficient uptake, the government should enter continued dialogue with exporting businesses in addition to launching awareness-raising campaigns. This will be an iterative journey, requiring intensified co-operation between national and regional representatives from the public and private sectors.

Improved regional trade facilitation co-ordination and increased private sector involvement in infrastructure development will be at the core of the development of Kazakhstan’s Caspian Sea ports. Kazakhstan’s CBC hubs, and in particular the Caspian ports of Aktau and Kuryk are central elements of the government’s plans for the development of domestic trade and transit infrastructure and increased regional integration. Meeting these goals will require addressing infrastructure and trade facilitation gaps, and will require the development of transnational co-operation mechanisms with neighbouring countries and key trade partners, better involvement of the private sector in policy and infrastructure development, and the development of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system for CBC hubs to inform policymaking.