NUR-SULTAN / ex ASTANA (KazInform) – 1,300,000 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) operate in Kazakhstan, Senate Chairman Maulen Ashimbayev declared.

Maulen Ashimbayev

Having noted that the number of active SMEs has been showing a gradual growth in recent years, the Senate Chairman said that as of October 1, 2020 that number exceeded the 1.3 mln mark. However, he went on to say that that there was a shortage of tech startup, exporting companies or companies involved in manufacturing in small or medium entrepreneurship, noting that a third of all active SMEs in Kazakhstan, of which most are shadowy, are engaged in trade. Ashimbayev believes, to increase the share of SMEs it is necessary to tackle black market, quality and diversification issues.

There are regional disparities with the regard to the number of SMEs in Kazakhstan. Nur-Sultan (ex Astana) and Almaty lead in terms of number of SMEs. These two cities account for a third of the total GRP as well as a third of those involved in small and medium entrepreneurship. In 2019, the share of SMEs in GDP stood at 31.7%, rising from 24.9% in 2015. The country aims to increase that figure to 35% by 2025, and to 50% by 2050. The number of those engaged in entrepreneurship increases each year and stands at 3.5 mln.