How a Kazakh garment factory rose from IKEA's exit to self-made success

In the Öngtüstik Special Economic Zone, one of Kazakhstan’s largest garment factories stands as a testament to resilience. Founded by Anipa Khalbaeva, the business once thrived under IKEA’s partnership—until the Swedish retailer left Russia in 2022, leaving behind debts of nearly 1 billion tenge. Now, under the leadership of lawyer Gauhar Nasyrova and her IT specialist husband Fathulla Nasyrov, the factory has reinvented itself with its own brands, Arua and Suave.

The factory’s story began with school uniforms. Anipa Khalbaeva launched the business with an automated cutting system, targeting the Russian market. By 2014, a currency crisis and shifting Russian demand forced a halt to operations.

Everything changed in 2015 when IKEA became a major client. For seven years, the factory ran two shifts daily, employing around 350 workers. The partnership ended abruptly in 2022 after IKEA’s exit from Russia, leaving the business burdened with unpaid bills. Rather than shutting down, the Nasyrovs took over and rebranded. Today, the 8,000-square-metre facility produces bed linens and garments under its own labels, primarily for Russia. Yet challenges remain: a severe labour shortage and reliance on imported fabrics, as local Kazakh materials are too narrow for modern designs. Despite these hurdles, the factory has earned recognition as the 'Exporter of the Year' and 'Best Manufacturer in Kazakhstan'. Its long-term goal is to break into European markets, building on its reputation for quality and determination to revive Kazakhstan’s light industry.

From near collapse to self-sufficiency, the factory now operates under its own brands. Its awards reflect a commitment to domestic production, even as it navigates labour gaps and material shortages. The next step is expansion beyond Russia—proving that local manufacturing can still compete on a global scale.