Once the Customs Union was established, the Atyrau region’s trade turnover with Russia and Belarus has grown considerably. The queue of trucks is waiting at the Kurmangazy checkpoint on the Astrakhan regional border having reduced as well. Moreover, some expenses relating to foreign economic activity are now being cancelled for participants in the Customs Union. Such a measure will save turnover money not to mention the time required for crossing borders inside the union.

Manarbek Budenov, department chief, Customs Control Department:
- The most important thing is that the customs union has opened markets for local production companies. In particular, this is all about the integration of Russia and Belarus and it will be followed with the export of products made inside the union to other countries beyond it.

Kazakhstan’s businessmen have also obtained a lot of new opportunities. Farm director Vladimir Rozmetov had been waiting for a few months for the Customs Union to come into effect and customs procedures to be facilitated. This had an influence on the venture planned by the entrepreneur.

Vladimir Rozmetov, businessman:
- We wanted to import hatchlings of silver carp, grass carp and ordinary carp to our farm in Kazakhstan. However, unlike people, hatchlings can’t wait for 2 or 3 days at the border crossing. We took the advantage of the Customs Union and imported hatchlings and had to spend just 2 to 3 hours filling out the necessary documents.

Now, the farm which grows sturgeon will also be breeding silver carp and grass carp. This fish is known for their good reproduction capacity and quick growth. It also cleans reservoirs from reeds which are hazardous for sturgeon. As a result, the farm could double its profit.