A Kazakh entrepreneur is leveraging his experience in China to launch a cross-border fashion platform, connecting Chinese suppliers with buyers across Kazakhstan.
His efforts come as Chinese e-commerce continues its global surge, extending its influence beyond borders through both goods and expertise.
Bashir Modanov, who has lived in China for 15 years, launched an e-commerce platform named Harviso tailored for the Kazakh market.
"I have seen how this trend of e-commerce has been developed here, and I see at the same time in Kazakhstan or any other country in central Asia, this trend is growing. So I can see the whole structure of this business and have this experience, so I can just copy this business model and apply to other countries," he said.
Last year, his platform handled transactions worth 5 million U.S. dollars, a milestone they have already exceeded this year.
What Bashir is building reflects a larger trend: China is exporting not just products, but its digital infrastructure and commercial models. Logistics systems, online payment tools, and marketing strategies developed in China are increasingly being localized in Central Asia.
"In recent two years, China and Central Asia summit has helped a lot to boost both countries' awareness about the business. So Chinese enterprises they realize that central Asia is not only a geopolitical partner, there are real business opportunities in this market," he added.
According to official data, trade between China and Kazakhstan reached nearly 44 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, up 6.8 percent year-on-year.
For Bashir, the mission is both economic and personal. Now based in Beijing, he sees himself as a bridge -- not just between sellers and buyers, but between two growing markets learning from each other.
Kazakh entrepreneur rides China's e-commerce wave to transform Central Asian fashion trade
