Il Kazakistan sta intensificando il sostegno alle piccole e medie imprese. Con maggiori finanziamenti, riforme e incentivi commerciali, l'obiettivo è far crescere la base delle PMI e attirare maggiori investimenti europei.
00:36We're highlighting business and economic developments in Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asia region, connecting with Europe and beyond.
00:43This year alone, at least 30,000 SMEs are expected to receive almost 3 billion euros in support.
00:49According to the new plan, loans will be available to 50,000 projects annually.
00:54Almost 11,000 joint ventures unite foreign and local partners, all with access to bank loans, state-backed guarantees, and international investment vehicles.
01:05The OECD's 2023 progress report notes that more work remains, including consistent implementation of the new Entrepreneur's Code, better access to trade data, and stronger dispute resolution mechanisms.
01:16Joining us to discuss these dynamics is Nourlan Kulbatyrov, first deputy CEO of Kastrade, the Center for Trade Policy Development.
01:25Mr. Kulbatyrov, great to have you with us.
01:27Здравствуйте, спасибо за приглашение.
01:29Which incentives have proven most effective in attracting foreign entrepreneurs to Kazakhstan?
01:33So, how would you assess foreign-led SMEs' ability to navigate Kazakhstan's legal framework?
02:00So what now? Is the government planning to introduce any reforms to drive the growth of SMEs?
02:28This is one of the last reforms that we are planning to focus on is not on the number of companies, but on the quality.
02:35We want it to be not only over a million individual foreign entrepreneurs, but the average entrepreneurs, those who pay taxes, create working places.
02:44For such competitive companies, companies will have more support.
02:48Thank you so much for being with us.
02:50Thank you so much.
02:51And now, four new commercial opportunities that could attract European and other foreign investors to Kazakhstan.
03:01Top two areas ripe for entry are processing of agricultural products and food production, franchising, logistics and business support services, and IT services.
03:10Today, foreign-owned joint SMEs in Kazakhstan are predominantly active in wholesale and retail trade, motor vehicle and motorcycle repair, other services, and construction.
03:21Here's where foreign SMEs come from.
03:24Regional neighbors lead the way with Russia, Uzbekistan, and China, closely followed by Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan, reflecting strong cultural and economic ties.
03:34Ukraine and Belarus also make the list, whilst Germany and South Korea round out the top 10, underscoring Kazakhstan's appeal to globally competitive, innovation-driven economies.
03:44Here's an inspiring success story.
03:49Askar started out with just eight employees in a 400-square-meter space, making compact transformer substations.
03:55As demand grew, so did the need for space.
03:57He bought a warehouse with support from the Damu State Entrepreneurship Fund, which subsidized over half the interest on his loan.
04:03That support helped his business grow seven-fold, now producing almost 14 million euros worth of products and services each year.
04:11For entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, there are all technical opportunities.
04:16There are land, there are electricity, there are heat, there are electricity, there are heat, to build factories and to launch new productions.
04:24And, plus, the support of the state is very good.
04:27Interest rate subsidies are in high demand among foreign entrepreneurs looking to start small and medium businesses in Kazakhstan.
04:35So far, the Damu Fund has helped finance more than 1,600 internationally-owned projects, covering over 1 billion euros in loans.
04:43The fund also offers other tools, including low-interest loans and partial guarantees.
04:47Foreign investment for Kazakhstan is a key priority in terms of attracting foreign capital, transferring technology, and educating our employment.
04:59So, for European investors, it's also one of the good strategies in order to enhance their business.
05:07SME support systems like the Damu Fund help create an environment where businesses can grow sustainably and scale their operations.
05:14Just like in Askar's case, his compact transformer substation business made full use of the fund's support and is now planning to expand five-fold, aiming to produce over 70 million euros worth of electrical engineering products and services.
05:29To bolster EU businesses on the ground in Kazakhstan, European countries have established local trade offices, like the Italian Kazakh Trade Association, which helps firms deepen their local partnerships.
05:44Let's bring in its president, Marco Beretta, who's joining us down the line.
05:48Mr. Beretta, good to have you with us.
05:50Thank you very much. I'm very happy to be here today.
05:53How easy is it for European SMEs to set up operations in Kazakhstan?
05:57Are there any challenges or opportunities in this regard?
05:59Obviously, for European small and medium enterprise, opening and running business in Kazakhstan, see some challenges like the legislation difference between Europe and Kazakhstan, the cultural difference, and the fact that the small and medium enterprise in the country has much more added value than foreign one in terms of economics.
06:22But Kazakhstan, in order to be attractive for small and medium enterprise in Europe, put in place a lot of leverages like a special economic zone where taxation is easier and sometimes even zero for some years.
06:38The IFC for the international law and that allowed small and medium enterprise to feel more comfortable in case of problem.
06:48Interesting. How do you see Kazakhstan evolve as a business hub for European companies in the next decade?
06:54Kazakhstan is changing its DNA into the industrialization and transformation of this natural resource into added value of final products.
07:04This is for sure a booster for small and medium enterprise to come in the country and to work on this DNA change.
07:13Our association and other associations together with the government of Kazakhstan are organizing a supply chain forum.
07:19And this is one of the examples of how Kazakhstan can become a hub for the international SME.
07:27They need some support. They need to be driven into the process.
07:31They need to understand the ground where they want to make business.
07:35Mr. Baratta, thank you so much for joining us.
07:38Thank you very much.
07:39With a strategic position along the Europe-China middle corridor, a steady push for pro-business reforms and targeted incentives,
07:48Kazakhstan hopes to generate a new wave of SME success stories.
07:52Bye for now and join us in the next episode of East-West Connect.
