As part of the implementation of the Government’s instructions, Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund JSC (a subsidiary of National Investment Holding “Baiterek”) has launched pilot Business Support and Facilitation Centers in Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, North Kazakhstan and Aktobe regions.

“Entrepreneurs face various challenges, and resolving a single issue often requires the involvement of several government agencies, financial institutions or organizations. This is why there was a need to expand the format of the Damu Fund’s operations and establish a mechanism for comprehensive business facilitation. We already have the necessary infrastructure, expertise and support instruments, as well as established cooperation with Baiterek Holding organizations through the Single Front Office. As part of the pilot project, we aim to bring these capabilities together and provide comprehensive support to businesses, from diagnosing a problem to resolving it,” said Farhat Sarsekeyev, Chairman of the Management Board of the Damu Fund.

The Centers operate as follows: an entrepreneur applies to a regional branch of Damu Fund, where specialists conduct an initial assessment of the situation, identify possible mechanisms for resolving the issue and develop a further support pathway. Depending on the nature of the request, relevant government agencies, financial institutions, local executive bodies and organizations within the Baiterek Holding group are involved in handling the case. Damu Fund coordinates interaction among the participants and supports the entrepreneur until a decision is reached on the issue. Thus, entrepreneurs do not need to contact each government agency separately.

As part of the pilot project, particular attention will be paid to issues that directly affect the financial sustainability and continued operations of businesses.

In particular, entrepreneurs will be able to receive assistance with:

• debt restructuring and access to financing;
• obtaining government support measures;
• settlement of tax arrears;
• restoring access to sales markets and promoting products;
• development of entrepreneurial competencies;
• government support and financing for agricultural sector entities.

These areas were identified based on an analysis of more than 2,400 problematic requests from small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) recorded in the register 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. The most common issues raised by entrepreneurs concerned financing and debt restructuring, access to government support measures, taxation, product sales and business development.

The Main Criterion Is a Resolved Issue

Unlike the traditional consultation-based approach, the effectiveness of the Centers will be assessed primarily based on results. The key indicator will be the share of entrepreneurs’ requests that have been resolved, as well as assistance in restoring businesses’ access to financing and sales markets, resolving problem loans and tax-related issues, and ensuring compliance with the deadlines for considering requests.

At the same time, the Centers will compile analytics on recurring business problems. This will help identify systemic barriers and develop proposals to improve existing support measures and legislation.

The pilot project will run until the end of 2026. Upon completion, 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 a Business Support and Facilitation Center at the regional branches of 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 Single Contact Center at 1408.