Russia’s first e-commerce company, Ozon, has started the construction of the logistics complex in Kazakhstan, with an investment of approximately 15 billion Kazakh tenge (US$33.7 million).
According to Ozon, the project, set to be completed within 12 months, will cover an expansive area of 42,000 square meters and is expected to generate 2,000 new job opportunities in the region.
Ozon’s business is thriving in Kazakhstan, and the logistics complex will be expanded to accommodate increasing demand from sellers and buyers for the platform’s services. The new facility will act as a fulfilment center in Almaty, near to the Chinese border, offering a complete package of services for online orders from local sellers. From accepting goods for storage to packaging and dispatching parcels to customers, the hub will efficiently cater to the growing e-commerce landscape in the country.
Ozon’s strategic move to establish this logistics hub comes as a response to the surging demand for its marketplace services in Kazakhstan. By providing a dedicated fulfilment center, the company aims to enhance its operational efficiency and meet the rising needs of sellers and buyers alike.
To bring this project to fruition, Ozon has partnered with Focus Logistics, a subsidiary of the prominent Kazakh construction group – Bazis.
Having commenced its operations in Kazakhstan in 2021, Ozon has been committed to expanding its logistical infrastructure in the region. Presently, the company operates two fulfilment centers and over 100 pickup and drop-off points in Kazakhstan. With ambitious plans in sight, Ozon intends to increase the number of pickup and drop-off points to 1,000 by the end of 2023.
Russia and Kazakhstan are both members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade bloc. In 2022 the bilateral trade volume between Russia and Kazakhstan increased by US$2 billion reaching US$26 billion. Growth rates have been at rates of 10% plus with signs that this is also increasing.
Source: Silk Road Briefing