Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, during a working visit to the city of Astana, reviewed projects in the field of small and medium-sized businesses, as well as the development of modern sports infrastructure. The work is being carried out in accordance with the instructions of the Head of State to ensure sustainable economic growth and the development of mass sports, given at the expanded session of the Government and in the Address “A Just Kazakhstan: Law and Order, Economic Growth, Public Optimism.”

Attention was paid to improving the effectiveness of support measures for SMEs, as well as to the creation of modern sports infrastructure for training the Olympic reserve and engaging young people in systematic sports activities.

Olzhas Bektenov inspected the production facilities of the ready-to-eat food and semi-finished products plant of Tap-Tatti LLP. The company’s head, Nurzhan Sarsenov, demonstrated the technological lines and presented current performance indicators to the Prime Minister. The confectionery, flour, and bakery products plant is equipped with modern equipment. Its design capacity reaches up to 5 thousand tons of products per year. A total of 200 jobs have been created.

During the visit, it was noted that the development and support of SMEs remain a priority of state policy. Today, around 4.5 million people in Kazakhstan are employed in the SME sector, which is almost half of the country’s economically active population.

To ensure economic stability, the Isker Aimaq program is being implemented. At the same time, the Government, together with the business community, is developing additional financial and regulatory measures. Through the Baiterek holding, a preferential production re-equipment program has been launched. The introduction of the new Tax Code is being carried out in a soft format, taking into account business proposals, including the cancellation of inspections for previous periods and the non-application of liability measures to micro and small businesses in the current year.

Currently, more than 273 thousand SME entities operate in Astana, which is 10.1% higher compared to the same period of 2025. The sector employs 557.2 thousand people, or 70% of the city’s economically active population. The share of SMEs in the capital’s economy stands at 74.4%, the highest indicator in the country.

Over 9 months of 2025, SMEs in Astana produced goods and provided services worth 14.9 trillion tenge, with growth of 21.9%. To support entrepreneurs, 12.8 billion tenge were allocated from the local budget in 2025: more than 3 thousand projects were subsidized to reduce interest rates, 49 loans were guaranteed, and 24 grants were issued to social entrepreneurship entities. In addition, the local lending program “Astana Business” is being implemented, under which 254 projects totaling 3.6 billion tenge have already been approved.

The Prime Minister also visited a new ski base built in the central park of Astana. Deputy Akim of the city Yerik Meirkhan reported that construction began in April 2025 and was completed in January 2026. The project cost amounted to 1.8 billion tenge. The total area of the two-story building is about 2 thousand square meters, with a capacity of up to 300 people per shift. A total of 30 jobs have been created.

The base infrastructure includes a spacious gym equipped with strength machines and specialized equipment, including an ERCOLINA trainer. Special attention has been given to innovative equipment: a professional Skate Treadmill RL3500E simulator has been installed for year-round technique training and endurance improvement. It allows imitation of skating technique, adjustment of speed and incline. The simulator makes it possible to precisely set training intensity and conduct safe sessions under specialist supervision, as well as carry out objective and systematic assessment of progress, which is especially important in athlete preparation. Facilities are also provided for ski preparation, storage, and drying of sports equipment.

Olzhas Bektenov emphasized that the development of modern sports infrastructure is directly linked to strengthening the country’s Olympic potential.

“The Head of State pays special attention to the development of mass sports, the upbringing of a healthy generation, and strengthening the nation’s health as a whole. Without creating an accessible and high-quality base with modern equipment, this is impossible. The construction of such facilities forms the foundation for systematic athlete training and unlocking the potential of our youth. The Olympic Games are currently being held in Italy, and we see how important it is for our athletes to have conditions to achieve victories. Therefore, the state is consistently preparing infrastructure that will allow our athletes to train at the highest level. Support for mass sports and the Olympic reserve is an investment in the health of the nation and the country’s international image,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

It was noted that the new ski base will become a key venue for training students of the children and youth sports school, the Olympic Reserve Training Center, and the Higher Sports Mastery School. In addition to cross-country skiing, biathlon and orienteering will also be developed at the base. At the initial stage, around 180 athletes will train under the guidance of 15 coaches, with plans to increase the number to 360 in the future. At the same time, not only professional sports school students but also amateur skiers will be able to train here. Conditions will be created for mass sports, allowing residents to comfortably use the tracks and infrastructure.

Overall, across the republic, as part of the development of mass sports, sports infrastructure is being consistently expanded and citizen engagement in regular physical activity is increasing. The level of provision of sports facilities rose from 52.2% in 2023 to 59.6% in 2025. The share of the population regularly engaged in physical education and sports increased from 40.4% to 44.5%.

Following the working visit, the Prime Minister issued a number of instructions to relevant ministries and the Akimat of Astana. In particular, he instructed to ensure further development of infrastructure for training the Olympic reserve, expand programs for youth engagement in mass sports, and continue systematic support for SMEs with a focus on increasing productivity and export potential.

#Olzhas Bektenov #President's instruction #SME #Sports

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