Kazakh government to unveil new SME support packageThe Kazakh government is drafting a new suite of financial and regulatory measures to bolster micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced Tuesday.“The existing mechanisms are not enough to unlock the full potential of the SME sector. The government, in collaboration with the business community, is formulating additional support measures,” Bektenov said at an extended government meeting on Tuesday.A flagship initiative will be a nationwide modernization program, enabling SMEs to upgrade their equipment through preferential loans. The program, to be administered by Baiterek Holding, promises a streamlined 10-day approval process for equipment financing, eliminating the requirement for additional collateral.The Prime Minister also pledged a business-friendly rollout of the new Tax Code, incorporating feedback from entrepreneurs. Key concessions already approved include a moratorium on all tax audits for periods prior to January 1, 2026, and an amnesty on penalties for violations committed by micro and small businesses in the current year.The announcement comes as the sector shows steady growth. Official figures indicate the number of active SMEs in Kazakhstan rose by 5% in 2025, surpassing 2.2 million. Employment in the sector grew by 3.9% to 4.5 million jobs, with SMEs now contributing 40.5% to the national GDP. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX