Kazakhstan is expanding financial support for small businesses through the Isker Aimaq (Business Region) program, a nationwide initiative designed to improve access to affordable financing for micro and small enterprises.
Since its launch in December 2025, the program has already approved more than 300 business projects worth over KZT 21 billion, helping entrepreneurs modernize production, create jobs, and strengthen regional economies.
The program was introduced by the Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund following an instruction from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. It focuses on providing accessible loans to businesses across Kazakhstan, including rural areas and single-industry towns.
Regional Approach to Business Development
A key feature of the Isker Aimaq program is its flexible regional model. Local governments (akimats) and the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs Atameken jointly determine financing priorities based on the economic profile and development needs of each region.
In 2026, the government plans to support around 5,000 business projects with total financing of approximately KZT 400 billion, making the initiative one of Kazakhstan’s largest small business support programs.
Success Stories Across Kazakhstan
Green Technology in the Leather Industry
In the Zhambyl Region, Kozhabekova G.T., the region’s only enterprise specializing in sheep skin processing for more than 20 years, received government support to install solar panels.
The company processes approximately 46,000 sheep skins annually and manufactures around 20,000 fur products for Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Defense. About 10% of production was exported to Russia and Uzbekistan in 2025.
The renewable energy project is expected to reduce electricity costs by 38%, replace up to 24,000 imported fur products, and meet around 20% of regional market demand.
Rice Export Hub Expands Production
Entrepreneur Doszhan Turlybayev from the Kyzylorda Region received KZT 110 million to purchase raw rice.
The commercial lending rate of 22% is partially subsidized by the government, reducing the entrepreneur’s effective interest rate to 13.2% per year. The project is also backed by a guarantee from the Damu Fund.
The enterprise processes up to 150 tons of rice daily and exports its products to Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Afghanistan. The expansion is expected to replace 1,500–2,000 tons of imported rice annually while covering 20–25% of regional demand.
Domestic Medical Equipment Manufacturing
In the North Kazakhstan Region, Ultramedtech KZ LLP, a domestic manufacturer of medical equipment operating since 2020, secured a KZT 100 million three-year loan to purchase production components.
The investment will double annual output from 5,000 to 10,000 medical devices and create five new jobs.
One of the company’s competitive advantages is its proprietary software, which enables remote real-time monitoring of medical equipment and significantly improves after-sales service.
Craft Cheese Production Grows
In the Turkistan Region, Bakhar individual entrepreneur, producer of TARIX craft cheeses, obtained a KZT 100 million loan to construct a warehouse for dairy raw materials.
The business benefits from a subsidized interest rate, reducing financing costs from 21% to 12.6% annually.
The expansion will increase daily cheese production from 200 kilograms to 260 kilograms, replace up to 40 tons of imported dairy products each year, and supply approximately 5% of regional market demand.
Supporting Local Home Goods Manufacturing
In the Aktobe Region, entrepreneur G.A. Zhantleuova, a producer of bedding and household textiles, received KZT 35 million in financing for working capital, raw material purchases, and production expansion.
Government support has already increased pillow production from 12 to 20 units per day, while the output of traditional korpe quilts has grown from 30 to 50 units daily.
The company has expanded its workforce from seven to ten employees and plans to create up to 20 additional jobs in the future.
Expanding Opportunities for Entrepreneurs
According to the Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund, entrepreneurs can receive consultations on the Isker Aimaq program through regional Damu branches, the national contact center (1408), and mobile service offices operating in remote rural areas.
By combining affordable financing with region-specific development priorities, the Isker Aimaq program is expected to stimulate entrepreneurship, increase domestic production, create new jobs, and strengthen Kazakhstan’s economic resilience.