Promoting the development of small and medium-sized businesses

The companies of the Fund Group provide service support to SMEs by expanding the resource base, providing access to critical infrastructure, guaranteeing offtakes, making purchases from domestic producers, and attracting investors. GRI 3-3

Our major transport projects provide new opportunities for SMEs by providing access to new trade routes and global markets. With Atameken, we are increasing local content in the gas industry and creating a gas service industry almost from scratch.

The import substitution program is the key instrument for the support and development of domestic commodity producers (hereinafter — DCP). From 2018 to December 31, 2023, 68 new manufacturing projects were approved and 475 off-take contracts worth KZT 115.7 billion were signed with suppliers. GRI 3-3

In order to support small businesses in the Fund’s procurement system, an electronic shop (skstore.kz) was created in 2023. GRI 3-3 Approximately 6,000 suppliers are registered there, more than half of which are sole proprietorships.

In 2023, the amount of goods (works, services) procured by the Fund totalled KZT 3,696 billion, and 92% of this amount is attributable to domestic suppliers. GRI 203-2 The share of local content in procurement increased to 98% (79% in 2022). In 2024, the volume of procurement of goods from DCP is planned at KZT 0.75 trillion, by 2029 — KZT 2.1 trillion. GRI 3-3

Support for domestic producers is also provided for in our investment projects. For example, when implementing the “Comfortable School” project, the participation of domestic producers is enshrined in legislation.

We implement ESG criteria in our procurement activities. Particularly in reviewing applications from potential suppliers for projects under the New Productivity Programme.