National Bank names major obstacles to doing business in Kazakhstan

One third of interviewed companies mentioned the state of economy as the major obstacle to doing business in Kazakhstan, Kazinform News Agency reports.

3,401 companies participated in the survey carried out by the National Bank.

29.6% of respondents said that the state of economy was the major barrier to doing business. Other obstacles include market competition – 29.5%, taxes – 28.8%, shortage of skilled manpower – 27.3%, search for buyers – 25.0%. Complexities in acquiring licenses and return of receivables were mentioned by 17.3% and 14.4% of respondents respectively.

Diffusion index which reflects the changes in price dynamics is at 57.8 which is higher than the first quarter indicator (57.2). Demand in ready products remains unchanged – 51.1.

The average return on sales across the economy increased from 22.9% in the 1st quarter to 23.8% in the 2nd quarter.