Kazakhstan, one of the former Soviet Union’s satellite countries, embarks on the path of progress. AUSA plays an active role in this Glasnost, acting through one of the distributors who best understands the regional market.

The recent entry of AUSA into some countries contrasts with its long experience acquired in other countries. Although AUSA has a strong presence in almost all industrialised countries, its expansion into other countries is a recent phenomenon. The expansion process recently initiated by AUSA allows the Spanish company to gain a foothold in clearly emerging countries. One of these is Kazakhstan.

Despite being the ninth largest country in the world, it is far from having a strong economy. Nevertheless, its location (sharing borders with Russia and China amongst other countries), its livestock (especially sheep) and mineral reserves (amongst the richest in Asia due to its coal, iron, copper, manganese, oil and natural gas reserves), bode well for the region’s economy, thanks to the creation of iron, steel and metallurgical companies, along with the introduction of chemical, textile and food corporations.

For all of these reasons, Kazakhstan is experiencing a booming period of economic bonanza. In the year 2005, its economy grew by 10%, and in the last five years by 1%, making it one of the most dynamic economies in the Central Asian region. As a result of these conditions, AUSA has unflinchingly introduced itself into the region, in partnership with one of the distributors who best understands the regional market.

The company's first months in the region have not gone badly. Sales of AUSA and AUSA TRADING vehicles are beginning to pick up, and forecasts indicate that the majority of sales will involve backhoes and loaders, "given the country’s characteristics and the fact that a rental culture is almost non-existent,” observes Josep Soler, AUSA's export director. He also points out that the Kazakh customer knows that Western products mean greater productivity and efficiency, “although they still take a short term view, and it is difficult for them to commit to the future.”

In the opinion of AUSA’S exports director, financing mechanisms are not as developed as in Europe or America, which constitutes an obstacle when it comes to making certain investments; however, AUSA’s interest in Kazakhstan is medium term, and during this period “it is expected that the trend will be positive, and that the company’s businessmen, tired of the Soviet yoke, will take to capitalist methods as guarantors of a profitable future,” concludes Soler.