Belle Mees moved to Kazakhstan to explore new opportunities and promote business between the Netherlands and Kazakhstan. As a business development manager, she shares her experiences of adapting to life in a new country and her goals for enhancing trade between the two nations.
Belle Dorhout Mees, city — Almaty Business Development Manager, Linkedin
About myself
I am from the Netherlands. I studied Philosophy and European Studies, where I chose to learn the Russian language. After that, I completed a master’s degree in social and political philosophy at the University of Amsterdam. Once I graduated, I wanted to explore the world, so I traveled to Japan and China before finally setting foot in Kazakhstan.
About moving
In the Netherlands, little is known about Kazakhstan and the rest of Central Asia. This lack of awareness motivated me to study Russian to broaden my horizons beyond the Dutch media bubble. However, my proficiency in Russian was not as fluent as I had hoped after graduation. Therefore, I felt it was necessary to live in a Russian-speaking country for some time. I chose Kazakhstan due to its interesting geopolitical position and strategy, as well as its status as the largest economy in Central Asia. Considering all these factors, Kazakhstan truly appealed to me.
I first arrived in Almaty by airplane in April, so it was still quite cold. I booked a hostel to get to know the city better before deciding where to stay long-term. The people in the hostel welcomed me like family, which reflects the culture of the Kazakh people. They are consistently kind, generous, and welcoming, making it easy to make friends. I believe this is one of the best qualities a culture can possess.
About activities
Currently, I work for the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan as a business developer. We promote trade between companies from Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Kazakh companies. My focus is mainly on contacting Dutch-speaking companies, and I assist them wherever possible.
I enjoy building international connections, and driving business growth across borders allows me to do just that. With my academic background and language skills, I can effectively bridge gaps between cultures and markets. Collaborating with companies from the Benelux and Kazakhstan enables me to discover the Kazakh business culture and learn about very practical difficulties Dutch companies might encounter. This makes it a very interesting and diverse job.
About Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan has surprised me in many ways. Arriving with little prior knowledge, I was amazed by the spectacular varieties of landscapes. Someone mentioned that the Almaty region is believed to be the Garden of Eden because it is the birthplace of apples. I found that amusing; the idea that a country with a history of Tengri and Islamic traditions could be tied to the Christian conception of humanity’s origins is surprising. However, when looking at the scenery, I wouldn’t be surprised at all! Additionally, I didn't expect the level of development, which is much more advanced than I imagined. The multicultural atmosphere is striking — people often assume I’m Russian, and it’s interesting how naturally different cultures blend here.
About people and traditions
In my experience, the people in Kazakhstan are friendly and welcoming, especially to foreigners. They tend to be more relaxed and don’t plan ahead too much, which contrasts with Dutch culture. This laid-back approach creates a less stressful environment, making it easy to connect with others, make friends, and enjoy the moment.
I really appreciate the toasting tradition here. Every drink and meal feels more meaningful, adding an extra layer of appreciation to the company you're in. It makes the whole experience even more special. As for the food, apart from kumis, I’ve come to enjoy Kazakh cuisine quite a lot! Beshbarmak is wonderfully comforting, and I often snack on kurt or zhent when I want something local and tasty.
About plans
In the near future, I would like to expand my knowledge about Kazakhstan in general, but I have three main focus points. First, I am planning to support tech startups and promote innovation through collaboration between Kazakhstan and The Netherlands. I’m currently engaging with cleantech and ESG initiatives, as I believe The Netherlands can provide valuable insights, especially in sustainability. Second, I plan to start my own business to help Dutch companies navigate the market in Kazakhstan more effectively. Finally, I’m keen to explore the beauty of Kazakh traditional textiles and learn more about this sector and its history.
