From December 2024 to January 2025, elections will be held in Kazakhstan for the regional councils of the Chambers of Entrepreneurs. Starting this year, two candidates from each sectoral council and one candidate from accredited associations will be delegated to the Regional Council, DKnews.kz reports.
Which sectoral councils operate under the Almaty Chamber of Entrepreneurs?
The Almaty Chamber of Entrepreneurs currently has 10 sectoral councils, each representing the interests of entrepreneurs within its respective field:
- Sectoral Council for Tourism
- Sectoral Council for Creative Industries and IT
- Sectoral Council for Logistics and Trade
- Sectoral Council for Clean Manufacturing
- Sectoral Council for Infrastructure Development
- Sectoral Council for Construction
- Sectoral Council for the Development of Micro and Small Businesses
- Sectoral Council for Education and Healthcare
- Sectoral Council for Financial Institutions
- Intersectoral Council of Businesswomen
Each sectoral council has at least 13 members. Their main tasks include effective interaction with local executive bodies, interregional and interdepartmental coordination, the consolidation of industry expertise, and the protection of business rights. Members include active and proactive entrepreneurs, many of whom represent unions, associations, or other business groupings, as well as deputies and members of the city’s Public Council.
What will change in the new delegate selection procedure?
Starting in 2025, two candidates from each sectoral council and one candidate from accredited associations will be delegated to the Regional Council. This new approach focuses on engaged individuals who have a real influence on processes in their regions. It aims to make the system of sectoral and regional councils more representative and flexible, enabling more rapid responses to changing economic conditions and the needs of each region.
@ atameken.kz
“The creation of sectoral and regional council structures was a deliberate step necessitated by the need to consider the specifics of each region and develop competencies aligned with each territory’s priorities. For example, tourism is one of the key areas of development in Almaty. To effectively address issues related to this sector, it is essential that the regional council actively collaborates with the tourism administration. Such cooperation enables efficient solutions to both strategic and operational challenges, fostering growth and development in the sector” Raimbek Batalov, Chairman of the Presidium of NCE “Atameken”
The Role of the Regional Council
The Regional Council is an advisory body under the Chamber of Entrepreneurs, elected for four years. Its responsibilities include participating in the formation of the chamber’s work plans, reviewing reports from its leaders, and developing recommendations for addressing entrepreneurs’ problems at the national level.
How are candidates registered?
Applications for candidate registration are reviewed by the Chamber of Entrepreneurs’ election commission, which also checks each candidate’s compliance with established requirements. Importantly, if a member of a sectoral council sits on multiple sectoral councils, they can only run as a candidate from one council, and they must have been a member of that council for at least one month.
“This year, the composition of several sectoral councils in Almaty has been updated. Preparatory work has been ongoing since October; all sectoral councils have held their regular meetings and have carried out explanatory work. The candidate selection will take place at the end of December 2024 and the beginning of January 2025. Equal nomination of candidates is necessary to prevent any imbalances. It is important so that representatives of all industries have equal presence in the Regional Council, ensuring that the issues of entrepreneurs from various sectors are considered objectively” Zhanna Murzakulova, Deputy Director of the Almaty city branch of NCE “Atameken”
How will voting be conducted?
For the election to take place, a quorum of at least two-thirds of the sectoral council’s total membership is required. This ensures active participation by entrepreneurs and increases the legitimacy of the process. The voting procedure includes two types of voting: open and secret ballot. Elections will be held throughout the country from December 2024 to February 2025. In Almaty, the elections are scheduled for January 20-22.
Members of sectoral councils will be able to vote both in-person and remotely. On-site voting will be conducted at the regional chamber “Atameken,” where ballot boxes will be provided. Additionally, remote voting will be available through an electronic application, ensuring broader participation.
The upcoming elections to the regional councils of the Chamber of Entrepreneurs will mark an important milestone in the development of Kazakhstan’s entrepreneurial community. These elections will ensure effective representation of business interests at the regional level while strengthening the interaction between authorities and entrepreneurs. Transparency, openness, and the opportunity for candidates to campaign will create conditions for more active participation of entrepreneurs in decision-making and in improving the country’s business environment.
