In general, domestic telephone service is poor but getting better. International service is reliable, although expensive. Most U.S. business representatives prefer to use a cellular phone, which is widely used in Almaty and is gaining popularity elsewhere in Kazakhstan. While Almaty remains the commercial capital of Kazakhstan, an increasing number of U.S. and foreign firms are establishing satellite offices in Astana due to the importance of government relations in Kazakhstan. With the exception of Almaty, it is difficult to find an English-speaking labor pool in Kazakhstan's cities.
Training is an essential component to any start-up operation in Kazakhstan.
G. Selling Factors and Techniques Transportation costs and product pricing are two important considerations for U.S. companies looking at the Kazakhstani market. Kazakhstan's handful of major cities should be considered first as potential markets, since they are well-connected to the country's transportation system and their populations generally have greater purchasing power. U.S. products have a good reputation in Kazakhstan, but competition is growing. U.S. firms must provide customer support and a reliable supply of product to their distributors. This affects the price competitiveness of American-made products.