Source: vecher.kz
The importance of developing entrepreneurship and increasing the role of SMEs in the economy has been identified as one of the priority state tasks. Alisher Satybaldiev, Head of the Entrepreneurship and Investments Department of Almaty, spoke to *Vecherny Almaty* about creating conditions for entrepreneurs.
In particular, the regional program for business development, Almaty Business-2025, is in place to provide comprehensive financial and infrastructural support to entrepreneurs. Financial support is offered through preferential financing from Almaty Finance and the Almaty Microfinance Organization (MFO) at rates of 2% and 6% per annum for up to 84 months, with a maximum amount of up to 500 million tenge (collateralized loans), as well as unsecured loans at rates of no more than 12% per annum, with a maximum amount of up to six million tenge.
In Almaty, the small industrial parks (SIPs) development program is also being successfully implemented, where entrepreneurs can rent or purchase ready-to-use industrial premises under favorable conditions. To stimulate the program, an "industrial mortgage" was introduced in December 2023, allowing the acquired premises in SIPs to be used as collateral for loans. This will reduce the collateral burden on entrepreneurs and make the program even more accessible.
There is significant interest in SIPs due to the favorable conditions. For residents, there are premises with finishing and utilities provided at 1,350 tenge per square meter for up to three years, with the possibility of subsequent purchase of the rented premises. Additionally, residents of the industrial parks are offered a preferential loan at 2% per annum for amounts up to 70 million tenge, with a term of up to seven years.
The advantages of implementing SIP projects include bringing idle production and administrative spaces into use and supporting the establishment and development of businesses in areas with low business activity.
As reported by *Vecherny*, there are currently 11 small industrial parks in Almaty, covering a total area of 39,000 square meters. This year, five new SIPs will be introduced, covering 22,600 square meters with an investment of 2.17 billion tenge, creating 570 jobs. In 2025, the introduction of five additional SIPs is planned, covering 23,500 square meters with an investment of 2.48 billion tenge and creating over 640 jobs.
The prospects for developing high-tech manufacturing are closely linked to the Almaty Industrial Zone. Currently, 72 projects are being implemented within the zone, including small industrial parks (SIPs), which will create 10,703 jobs. In 2024, it is planned to introduce 15 projects, which will generate 1,594 jobs.
Among the ten projects, which will create 854 jobs on an area of 19.8 hectares, are various industrial ventures. These include a factory for the production of household chemicals and personal care products, a factory for manufacturing bank cards for international payment systems, and a plant for producing reinforcing mesh, quartz agglomerates, and profiled tubes. Additionally, there is a factory focused on producing concrete products.
Automotive sector is also represented with facilities such as a company for producing electronic audio and video equipment, a factory for manufacturing automotive seats, and another plant for producing rubber and plastic products. Besides these, there are projects for a factory that produces bio-feed additives and fertilizers, a complex for the production of cable and wire products, and warehouse facilities.
In 2025, eight industrial projects are expected to be implemented, creating 1,852 jobs.
Head of the Entrepreneurship and Investments Department of Almaty noted that the strategic goal for the city's industrial development by 2025 is to increase the share of manufacturing industries in the Gross Regional Product (GRP) to 6% by 2025 and to 9% by 2030. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive set of measures is planned, including improving the accessibility of infrastructure for businesses, such as providing spaces for expansion and the implementation of advanced technologies.
It is also planned to increase the number of industrial sites by creating new small industrial parks (SIPs) within the city and the Almaty Industrial Zone.
Overall, the prospects for the manufacturing industry are directly linked to the expansion of the Almaty Industrial Zone and the development of the Innovation Technologies Park (ITP) Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
The full version of the material is available at the following link: https://vecher.kz/ru/article/dlia-predprinimatelei-almaty-sozdaiutsia-vse-usloviia.html