Updated Subsidy Rules have come into effect in Kazakhstan under the Unified Small Business Support Program "Isker Aimak," implemented by the Damu Industrial Development Fund. The changes were approved by Resolution No. 729 of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated August 18, 2026.
What has changed?
Support is now available for projects by social entrepreneurs, regardless of industry restrictions. They can participate in the program for the types of activities specified in the register of social entrepreneurs, taking into account the project's implementation location and the entrepreneur's place of registration. For social entrepreneurs, the subsidy is 50% of the nominal remuneration rate, while for other entrepreneurs it is 40%.
Regional akimats can designate six additional OCEA codes as priority economic activities for regions and districts of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Investment projects have been strengthened in their focus on domestic production. Investment expenditures include the acquisition of commercial real estate, equipment, machinery, and transport, as well as the construction, modernization, reconstruction, and major repairs of business facilities. Equipment, machinery, transport, construction materials, and other assets within the investment project must be purchased from Kazakhstani manufacturers included in the relevant Registry. If a required product is not listed in the Registry, it may be purchased from other manufacturers.
The investment project implementation period has been reduced from 24 to 18 months from the subsidy start date. This period may be extended by no more than six months in the event of significant legislative changes or unforeseen technical, economic, or production circumstances.
The procedure for assessing project effectiveness criteria has been clarified. Changes have been made to the income and wage fund (WF) indicators. A downward deviation of no more than 1 percentage point between the actual increase in income and WF and the cumulative inflation rate is now permitted. Furthermore, in the presence of objective circumstances beyond the entrepreneur's control, an additional period of up to one financial year has been introduced to achieve performance indicators, confirming project implementation and the intended use of funds. Information on inflation, including cumulative inflation, is posted on the official website of the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The subsidy provision mechanism has been changed. The allocation of limits between second-tier banks and leasing companies (LCs) has been eliminated. Entrepreneurs can now apply to any second-tier bank or leasing company that is a partner of the Fund. Once funding is approved, the project is sent to the Damu Fund, which makes a decision on granting a subsidy within five business days. If the decision is positive, a tripartite subsidy agreement is concluded between the Damu Fund, the second-tier bank or LC, and the entrepreneur.
Furthermore, the Rules have been supplemented with a provision allowing entrepreneurs to appeal the Fund's decision to deny a subsidy through administrative and/or judicial proceedings in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
As part of its non-financial support measures, the Damu Fund is already implementing a mobile front office project in small and single-industry towns, district centers, and rural communities.
The mobile front offices serve as mobile consultation platforms where entrepreneurs and individuals wishing to start a business can receive free information about existing support tools and also apply for financing on-site.
Program Key Terms
Participants – micro and small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and social entrepreneurship entities;
Loan amount – up to 200 million tenge;
Purpose – investments, working capital;
Nominal rate – the base rate of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan + 4%
Subsidy amount – 40% of the nominal rate, with the rate for entrepreneurs being at least 12.6%; for social entrepreneurs – 50%;
Subsidy term – up to 3 years;
How to become a participant?
To participate in the program, entrepreneurs must contact a second-tier bank or leasing company that is a partner of the Damu Fund and submit an application for financing. Once financing is approved, the project is submitted to the Damu Fund for review and a decision on granting a subsidy.
For consultation on support programs, entrepreneurs can contact the regional branch of the Damu Fund where their project is being implemented. Additional information is available on the Foundation's official website and by calling the Single Contact Center at 1408.