Business Support and Facilitation Centers Launched in Kazakhstan on a Pilot Basis
Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund JSC has launched pilot Business Support and Facilitation Centers in Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, North Kazakhstan Region and Aktobe Region.
The Damu Fund is considering expanding this operating model and introducing a comprehensive business facilitation mechanism. This approach will provide entrepreneurs with a more convenient way to interact with government agencies, financial institutions and other organizations when addressing business development matters.
As part of the pilot project, the existing infrastructure, expertise and support instruments are expected to be consolidated, together with cooperation with organizations of Baiterek Holding through a Single Front Office. The mechanism provides for supporting entrepreneurs at every stage — from diagnosing the issue through to its resolution.
The Centers operate as follows: an entrepreneur applies to a regional branch of the Damu Fund, where specialists conduct an initial assessment of the situation, identify possible solutions and determine the further support pathway. Depending on the nature of the request, relevant government agencies, financial institutions, local executive bodies and organizations of the Baiterek Holding Group are engaged in handling the case. The Damu Fund coordinates interaction among the participants and supports the entrepreneur until a decision on the matter is reached. Thus, the entrepreneur does not need to approach each authority separately.
As part of the pilot project, the main focus will be on issues that directly affect the financial sustainability and continued operation of businesses.
In particular, entrepreneurs will be able to receive assistance with:
- debt restructuring and access to financing;
- obtaining state support measures;
- settlement of tax arrears;
- restoring access to sales markets and promoting products;
- developing entrepreneurial competencies;
- state support and financing for agricultural sector entities.
These areas were identified based on an analysis of more than 2.4 thousand problem-related requests from SMEs recorded in the registry of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs. More than 600 of these requests came from the five regions where the pilot project is being implemented. Entrepreneurs most frequently sought assistance with financing and debt restructuring, obtaining state support measures, taxation, product sales and business development.
The Main Criterion Is a Resolved Issue
Unlike the traditional advisory format, the effectiveness of the Centers will be assessed primarily by results. The key indicator will be the share of entrepreneurs’ requests that are resolved, as well as assistance in restoring businesses’ access to financing and sales markets, addressing problem loans and tax issues, and meeting the deadlines for reviewing requests.
At the same time, the Centers will compile analytics on recurring business issues. This will make it possible to identify systemic barriers and develop proposals for improving existing support measures and legislation.
The pilot project will run until the end of 2026. Based on its results, the effectiveness of the new mechanism will be assessed and proposals will be prepared for its further expansion to other regions of the country.
Entrepreneurs can contact the Business Support and Facilitation Center through the regional branches of the Damu Fund in the five pilot regions. Addresses and contact details of the regional branches are available on the Fund’s official website. Information is also available through the Unified Contact Center at 1408.