BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 19. Kazakhstan is
expanding support mechanisms for small and medium-sized enterprises
by combining access to finance, industrial cooperation and digital
tools aimed at increasing business participation in economic
growth.
This was announced in a statement published by the press service
of the Kazakh government.
According to information, through development institutions of
the national holding Baiterek, entrepreneurs receive instruments
designed to launch new production, modernize existing facilities
and integrate SMEs into regional supply chains.
One of the key mechanisms is the "Orleu" preferential financing
program, launched in 2025 to support projects in manufacturing,
agro-processing, logistics, education and healthcare. In 2025, the
program financed 2,278 projects worth 588 billion tenge ($1.2
billion), while another 131 projects worth around 23 billion tenge
($49.3 million) received financing in the first months of 2026.
Trend’s
calculations show that the average project size under "Orleu"
reached about 258 million tenge ($553,511) in 2025, indicating that
the program is focused largely on business expansion and investment
projects rather than only short-term liquidity support. More than
half of the program’s financing - around 51% - was concentrated in
Almaty, Astana, Almaty region, and Shymkent, the country’s largest
business centers.
A complementary approach is being implemented through the "Isker
Aimak" program, which focuses on micro and small businesses in
rural areas, district centers and smaller cities. The program
combines financing with infrastructure and advisory support,
helping entrepreneurs develop local production and processing
chains. By early August 2026, 266 projects had received support
worth 18 billion tenge ($38.6 million).
The expansion of SME opportunities is also increasingly linked
to digital transformation. According to the Digital Cooperation
Organization (DCO), Kazakhstan has developed one of Central Asia’s
leading fintech ecosystems, supported by initiatives such as the
Astana International Financial Centre.
"Fintech and digital finance also present significant
opportunities. Kazakhstan has emerged as one of Central Asia's
leading fintech ecosystems... The DCO’s work in enabling inclusive
digital economies and fostering cross-border digital cooperation
could support further growth in digital payments, startup
ecosystems, and SME participation in the digital economy," DCO
Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya told Trend.
The organization noted that Kazakhstan’s technology sector is
entering a new stage of development, citing the emergence of
globally competitive startups and growing opportunities in digital
investment, artificial intelligence, digital entrepreneurship and
skills development.
In Trend’s
assessment, the combination of financial support and digital
infrastructure creates a broader ecosystem for SME growth. While
traditional financing instruments help companies expand production
capacity, digital tools can improve market access, payment
efficiency and participation in cross-border trade.
