In line with the development strategy outlined by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his 2024 State of the Nation Address, the government of Kazakhstan is intensifying support for domestic manufacturers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on driving industrial modernization and improving the overall business environment.
Expanding Financial and Non-Financial Support to Raise Domestic Product Share
Since the beginning of this year, Kazakhstan has been expanding both financial and non-financial assistance to SMEs, particularly by increasing the procurement of domestic products in public purchasing. Currently, 4,834 items are no longer eligible for national treatment in government procurement, giving priority to locally produced goods.
To strengthen production capacity and market expectations, the government has introduced long-term and advance purchase contracts. As of the first half of 2025, more than 106,000 procurement contracts have been signed, totaling 333.4 billion tenge—more than double the amount compared to the same period in 2024.
Launch of National Product Catalog Platform with Automated Data Verification
To regulate the market and improve transparency, Kazakhstan is finalizing the development of a National Product Catalog platform, which will fully replace the current ST-KZ certificate and sector-specific certification systems by January 1, 2026.
The new platform will automatically verify data via government databases, significantly reducing the risk of corruption. It will also be used to confirm whether companies have actual production capabilities. Verified companies will receive free online certificates featuring QR codes, and only those that pass the verification process will be listed in the system.
Phased Implementation of Market Regulation Policies to Improve Government Efficiency
Since 2021, Kazakhstan has been gradually introducing new market regulation policies. The “Business Environment Improvement Act,” passed in April 2024, further enhanced the national regulatory framework and abolished more than 10,000 unnecessary administrative requirements.
Compared to 2019, the regulatory burden on businesses in Kazakhstan has decreased by 58% in 2024. The “Trade and Entrepreneurship Act,” passed on December 30, 2024, introduced a “prosecutor filter” mechanism, requiring any restrictions or prohibitions on business activities to receive prior approval from the Prosecutor’s Office, thus easing compliance burdens on businesses and investors.
In terms of licensing, the government is accelerating efforts to increase transparency and efficiency. By the end of 2025, relevant authorities will complete a comprehensive review of qualification requirements for various business licenses and permits, while also streamlining application procedures and processing times.
Continuous Growth of SMEs and Full-Scale Digital Service Deployment
Thanks to these policy reforms, the number of SMEs in Kazakhstan has reached 2.125 million, a 4.7% increase compared to 2024. The share of SMEs in national GDP has risen by 0.9 percentage points to 38.6%, while total output reached 18.7 trillion tenge, an 11.4% year-on-year increase.
The government is actively transitioning its relationship with businesses from a “regulatory approach” to a “partnership model.” On April 1, 2025, the upgraded version of the eGov Business mobile app was officially launched. Designed for entrepreneurs, it now supports company registration, tax calendars, electronic certificate applications, and digital signature issuance—helping automate and mobilize administrative tasks for SMEs.
Previously reported, the DAMU Development Fund will continue to enhance financing support for SMEs through loan guarantees, interest subsidies, and other tools aimed at broadening funding channels, expanding market access, and boosting growth potential.
