Kazakhstan’s SME Sector Shows Steady Economic Growth
Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remains a key priority of Kazakhstan’s economic policy. As a result of consistent state measures, the SME sector continues to demonstrate stable growth and an expanding contribution to the national economy.
According to the Bureau of National Statistics, one in five citizens of Kazakhstan is currently employed in business activity. The share of gross value added generated by SMEs has reached 39.8%, bringing the sector close to the strategic benchmark of 40%. Medium-sized enterprises are also strengthening their role. In the second quarter of 2025, their contribution to gross value added increased to 7.9%, exceeding last year’s level, the Prime Minister’s press service reported on Dec. 15. Between 2022 and 2024, the segment maintained steady performance, with gross value added ranging from 6.7% to 6.9% and the number of operating enterprises remaining stable at more than 3,000.
Micro and small enterprises account for 99.9% of all registered businesses in the country. They employ over 4.4 million people, or 45.5% of the economically active population. Employment in the sector increased by 3.9% over the past year.
The government continues to expand support mechanisms for entrepreneurs. A consolidated registry of 117 business support instruments provides assistance in production modernization, technological upgrades, export development and access to financing. The national digital platform baqylauda.qoldau.kz serves as a single access point for these tools and has been used by more than 222,000 entrepreneurs.
Kazakhstan is also implementing a comprehensive policy aimed at creating equal competitive conditions, encouraging business consolidation and strengthening medium-sized enterprises. A newly introduced registry of mandatory requirements has digitized and systematized regulatory obligations, improving transparency and predictability for businesses.
Key reforms include the revision of qualification requirements, streamlining of permit procedures, and the introduction of long-term contracts between large companies and SMEs. In addition, the new Tax Code reduces the number of special tax regimes from seven to three, limiting artificial business fragmentation and encouraging business growth.
To further support medium-sized companies, the Ministry of National Economy, in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, is preparing tailored development programs designed to double or triple production capacity. Diagnostic assessments are already underway for 20 enterprises, with plans to include at least 70 companies by 2030.
The government is also reforming the system of business regulation by eliminating outdated requirements and modernizing state oversight. These measures aim to create a more predictable and business-friendly regulatory environment.
Among key financial instruments introduced in 2024 is the Orleu concessional financing program, which has supported more than 1,700 projects worth 482 billion tenge (approximately US$936.5 million). Two guarantee funds established within the Damu Fund have expanded access to financing. The first fund provides portfolio guarantees for bank loans of up to 7 billion tenge (US$13.6 million) and has already supported 2,384 projects worth 417.7 billion tenge (US$811.6 million). The second fund focuses on large investment and infrastructure projects and has begun implementing major initiatives.
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