- Maxim, if we talk about what was exported from the country and imported to Kazakhstan through air transportation, which still prevailed during the pandemic, and in general, what is the trend – we export or import more?

- Of course, the share of imports is significantly higher. Basically, we actively import goods to Kazakhstan via air. And in the pandemic, this trend has continued. A lot of imports, yes. But the competition here is very serious. I'm talking about the transportation itself. Because the same airlines give everyone the same fares. And if a potential customer is looking for a company that can provide him with a service, at least five companies that he will contact will throw him the same rates. The differences will only be in the quality of the service and the commission for the service. What is meant by the service here? Of course, efficiency, safety of cargo-on air these criteria are very high. The plane was loaded, it took off, everything is under control, cameras are everywhere, in the airport itself, too. Regarding the safety, I will also say that when the cargo is taken away, the agent is already responsible, the cargo is at the airport - the airport employees are responsible, the plane took off – the airline is responsible, the plane arrived, the cargo was handed over-also the responsibility of the airport and the client takes it from there. We are freight forwarders and by and large there is no great responsibility. But, nevertheless, our task is to control, to ensure safety.

- What was mainly imported during the coronacrisis and is now being imported to Kazakhstan?

- Very often, medical equipment, expensive medicines. Often, such a product costs millions of dollars and it is clearly impossible to transport it by road. A large percentage of goods from the field of IT technologies, also transport furniture. There are times when there is a high urgency. For example, one client needed a certain table for an event in a short time, they were ready to pay any money then. Once from the USA, too, I urgently brought an exclusive simulator, here right in a single copy all over the world, too, customers were ready to pay well. Clothes are mostly transported by trucks, cars. Planes are expensive. The fruit is also now gone. Unless it's in the winter. In general, from the same Argentina, the prices will be simply cosmic.

There were no problems with customers, the demand was high. Despite the fact that, as I said, there is high competition, even the agents are sometimes the same, companies are often afraid to cross each other. At the same time, customers do not even bargain with our company. It's not a boast, it's a fact. We have a very high percentage of customer returns, when, after evaluating the service once, he becomes a regular customer. Usually, air transportation involves a very serious product of serious people. They don't want to take a risk because of 100$, they need guarantees in quality and peace of mind.

- About directions. Where can we deliver the cargo today, from what country?

- Atasu Group has agents in China, Taiwan, America, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Latvia. If necessary, you can resolve the issue with agents from anywhere in the world.

- For sure, China takes the lion's share in imports.

- Everything is brought from China, up to 70% from there. Sometimes, when the exchange rate jumps too much, the euro and the dollar start to compare, then there is a trend towards Europe. But these are rather exceptions. As a rule, they are brought mainly from China.

- And how do you work with your Chinese colleagues?

- The Chinese are responsible. Or maybe it's our merit that we were able to build such a partnership with them. But we have everything very clear and clear. If I write them something urgent, they reply to me within an hour. I also always try to react immediately, so that the process does not stop. It happens that the cargo was brought to the airport, after a few hours the departure is already over, and the documents are not agreed. The Chinese write to me – there is half an hour for approval. I'm running like crazy. And the airline puts pressure on them there-let's go faster. In general, we always try to solve any issues together. There are of course those who went home at 06.00 p.m. and can’t get through. But I don't work with them. In our business, the most important thing is speed and communication.

- Maxim, what about the tariffs and pricing? Following the demand, prices probably soared?

- Prices in the pandemic rose three times for air transportation. If, for example, now about 7$ per kilogram is paid, then in those months it was up to 12$. Some customers opted for road and rail transportation, because of the high cost of air transportation. Those who needed it urgently were paid. And so they worked. The rates still change very often. Previously, they were determined once every six months, once a year. Now cargo planes arrive, estimate the amount of cargo and issue tariffs. And last year, in April, they changed every three hours.

- Maxim, well, what are the features of your work? A specialist with what skills can work in air transportation?

- I have a very interesting job. But nervous, because of the high responsibility. This is the main feature. The language is very important here. If you speak English, it helps a lot in your work. And in general, when you did your job perfectly, the cargo arrived safely and on time, when your client is satisfied and grateful, this is the best assessment of our work.

- Good luck, Maxim, thank you for the conversation!