To accurately assess the development trends of Kazakhstan’s construction market and to strategically plan overseas market expansion efforts. 4 month 16 On the afternoon of [date], the Group held a briefing on its field visit to the Kazakh construction market in the Headquarters Conference Hall, specifically to hear a report on the findings of the mission. Attending the meeting were Zhong Yiming, Deputy Secretary of the Group’s Party Committee; Chen Guoli, Deputy General Manager and General Manager of the Overseas Branch; as well as all members of the inspection team. Zhang Xiangyang, Chairman of the Group, presided over the meeting and delivered a concluding address, outlining the direction and clarifying the roadmap for the Group’s strategic deployment in the Kazakh market and for deepening its “going global” strategy.

During the meeting, the inspection team provided a detailed report on the findings of its recent visit to Kazakhstan, comprehensively outlining the local construction market’s policy environment, industry status quo, market demand, competitive landscape, potential cooperation opportunities, and relevant details regarding the Kokshetau Energy Supply Complex project under the Kazakh National Energy Group, which the company intends to undertake. The team noted that, as a key country along the Belt and Road Initiative, Kazakhstan has seen steadily growing demand for infrastructure development in recent years, creating substantial opportunities for collaboration in areas such as power infrastructure, housing provision, transportation hubs, and industrial parks. Moreover, local policies offer certain support for foreign construction firms seeking to compete in the market, aligning closely with the Group’s core business development strategy. At the same time, the team objectively analyzed potential risks in the local market—including policy barriers, cultural differences, supply-chain reliability, labor-market access, and project implementation—and, based on the company’s specific circumstances, put forward targeted mitigation measures.

Zhong Yiming, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Group Company, and Chen Guoli, Deputy General Manager and General Manager of the Overseas Branch, among other leaders, based their remarks on the findings of the inspection and put forward targeted opinions and recommendations for the next phase of key work.

In his concluding remarks, Chairman Zhang Xiangyang first expressed full appreciation for the diligent efforts and thorough reporting of all members of the inspection team, noting that the field investigation was in-depth, well-grounded, and yielded significant results. The findings provided precise, reliable, first-hand information to inform the company’s decision-making, effectively filling a critical gap in the company’s understanding of the Kazakh construction market and laying a solid foundation for subsequent market deployment. He pointed out that the domestic construction industry is currently facing a complex and challenging development environment, and that expanding into overseas markets is a key step in implementing the company’s “go global” strategy and adhering to the eight-character business guideline of “shrink, reduce costs, strengthen capabilities, and go global.” It is also an inevitable choice for cultivating new growth drivers and enhancing the company’s core competitiveness. He emphasized that the Kazakh construction market is characterized by rigorous regulatory frameworks and stringent standards, making it imperative to rigorously manage risks when entering overseas markets. To ensure steady, targeted, and orderly progress in overseas market expansion, companies must conduct comprehensive assessments across five key dimensions: the market, clients, projects, competitors, and internal capabilities. Furthermore, this inspection mission introduced innovative working mechanisms, with overseas branches and project implementation teams collaborating closely, sharing information, and aligning their efforts, thereby effectively improving the quality and efficiency of overseas market exploration.

With regard to the next phase of work, Chairman Zhang Xiangyang put forward four clear requirements: First, elevate ideological awareness and build consensus on development. All cadres and employees must fully recognize the strategic importance of expanding into the Kazakhstani and broader Central Asian markets, adopt a holistic perspective, proactively adapt to international market rules, abandon conventional ways of thinking, and formulate overseas business development strategies with a truly global outlook. Second, conduct precise market analysis and develop well-structured plans. Relevant units and departments should, based on the findings of their field visits, further refine market research, thoroughly analyze local policy orientations, market demand, and the competitive landscape, and thereby devise scientific and rational market-entry strategies and medium- to long-term development plans. They should identify priority areas for breakthroughs and key cooperation directions, ensuring targeted efforts and steady progress. Third, strengthen risk management and safeguard the bottom line for development. Great emphasis must be placed on risk prevention and control in overseas markets, with particular attention paid to risks such as changes in local policies, exchange-rate fluctuations, and safety management. A robust risk-management system should be established and improved, contingency plans refined, and potential risks proactively identified and mitigated, so as to ensure the stable and sustainable development of overseas operations. Fourth, enhance capacity-building and consolidate the foundation for development. Efforts should be focused on improving the Group’s capabilities in international operations, strengthening the training and recruitment of specialized overseas talent, and building professional overseas operating teams. At the same time, the Group should leverage its technological, managerial, and brand strengths in the construction-engineering sector to deliver high-quality projects that meet local market needs, thereby establishing a strong international reputation for Nantong Construction Engineering.

This briefing comprehensively summarized the outcomes of the overseas study tour and clarified the roadmap for developing the Kazakh market. At the same time, it further aligned the thinking across the entire company, providing important guidance for deepening the “going global” strategy and expanding into international markets.

(Finance Department, Shi Jinjin)