Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration has said it is prepared to consider a request from RWB, the company formed through the merger of online marketplace Wildberries and outdoor advertising operator Russ, to establish additional warehouse capacity in the country. The company’s reported interest comes amid continuing drone attacks on logistics infrastructure in Russia.
The ministry said it has not yet received any formal request from Wildberries. Should one be submitted, it would be considered in accordance with Kazakhstan’s legislation and the country’s national interests.
“To date, the Ministry of Trade and Integration has not received any official request from Wildberries regarding the placement of additional warehouse facilities in the Republic of Kazakhstan. If such proposals are submitted, they will be considered in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and with due regard for the country’s national interests,” the ministry said.
The ministry added that it supports investment projects aimed at developing modern logistics infrastructure, creating jobs, and expanding cross-border e-commerce. It also stressed that all market participants are subject to the same rules under Kazakhstan’s legislation and the regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union, with no special preferences or exemptions.
As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, RWB began looking for warehouse space in Kazakhstan after a series of drone attacks on logistics facilities in Russia that began on July 18. The company is seeking approximately 100,000 square meters of warehouse space, although market participants say there is currently no single vacant logistics complex of that size in Kazakhstan.
The expansion of logistics infrastructure has become a priority as Kazakhstan’s online retail market grows. The Ministry of Trade and Integration says the sector is now more than seven times larger than five years ago, surpassing $6.1 billion and accounting for 14.1% of retail turnover. By 2030, the government wants online sales to account for 20% of the domestic retail market.
