Kazakhstan’s business community is entering a decisive phase. Tax rules are being rewritten, digital systems are rapidly expanding, and constitutional reform is reshaping the foundations of the state. Against this backdrop, the meeting held at the platform of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken”, chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, stood out as more than a routine discussion. It became a moment where the future relationship between the state and business was openly debated, DKNews.kz reports.
Representatives of the oil and gas and energy sectors, mining and metallurgy, agribusiness, industry associations, and experts from all regions of the country gathered in one room. The agenda was broad but concrete: tax reforms, business support, digitalization of information systems, and the overall development of entrepreneurship.
A Historic Moment and a Shared Responsibility
Opening the meeting, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov emphasized that entrepreneurship remains one of the key priorities set by the Head of State. According to him, the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs plays a crucial role as a bridge between the government and the business community, ensuring open and constructive dialogue.
“We are meeting at a historically important moment for our country. For six months, constitutional reform has been actively discussed in society. All discussions are open. Thousands of proposals from citizens are being received, carefully studied, and taken into account. This is clear evidence of democratic processes in our country. The draft of the new Constitution has been presented to the people. Its main goal is to strengthen our sovereignty and independence. I call on the business community to support our President and the new Constitution,” Bektenov said.
The draft Constitution enshrines the principles of legality, justice, and transparency. For entrepreneurs, this is not only about stronger guarantees but also about greater responsibility. Honest work, respect for business, and commitment to the country are becoming core values backed by constitutional norms. This framework is designed to create an environment of trust and long-term partnership.
Atameken as a Platform for Real Solutions
The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken” has taken an active role in explaining the essence of constitutional reform. Members of the Board and regional chambers are holding meetings with labor collectives, entrepreneurs, and sectoral associations, particularly in southern regions where small and medium-sized businesses are densely concentrated. These discussions go beyond formal briefings and focus on direct dialogue.
Chairman of the Presidium of “Atameken” Kanat Sharlapaev highlighted the Chamber’s systematic work with the Government. The emphasis, he noted, is on jointly developing regulatory improvements supported by clear calculations of social and economic impact.
“We are ready not only to identify problems but to turn them into concrete solutions so that the state and business act in the same direction,” Sharlapaev said.
Among the tangible results, he pointed to open dialogue on the Register of Kazakhstani Producers and the introduction of transparent mechanisms in the private education sector. Strategic issues, he added, are best addressed through the Council of Domestic Entrepreneurs, where the Chamber prepares proposals based on expert assessments and monitors the implementation of decisions.
“Only a clear and systematic architecture of interaction makes it possible to genuinely remove regulatory barriers. Our goal is to ensure that business can communicate directly with the state through the Chamber,” he stressed.
Tax Reform: Stability Versus Risk
Tax reform was one of the most sensitive topics of the meeting. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin spoke about the work of the Project Office for implementing the new Tax Code. Operating on a “single window” principle, the office can serve up to 250,000 taxpayers simultaneously.
According to him, the number of inquiries has dropped from 19.5 thousand to 7.1 thousand over the past three weeks, indicating that technical processes are stabilizing. More than 17,000 taxpayers participated in the “People’s Accountant” campaign, while since the beginning of the year over 41.2 thousand individuals have been newly registered. In addition, 187.2 thousand previously unregistered self-employed citizens have been legalized under the new regime.
At the same time, the business community voiced serious concerns. Deputy Chairman of the Board of “Atameken” Timur Zharkenov warned that predictability of legislation and reduced pressure on micro and small businesses during the transition period are critical.
He noted that 61% of small and medium-sized enterprises working with companies under the general tax regime depend on operations with participants of special tax regimes. Restricting deductions could lead to the closure of 36% of such businesses and force 14% to shift to the general regime.
Special attention was paid to taxation in healthcare. The use of multiple VAT rates - 5%, 16%, and exemptions - complicates administration and increases the risk of errors. Zharkenov proposed introducing a unified reduced VAT rate of 5% for medicines and medical devices, with mandatory inclusion in state healthcare tariffs, while maintaining VAT exemption for medical services. This, he argued, would help preserve affordability and reduce the tax burden on both patients and producers.
Register of Producers and Digital Transition
The development of the Register of Kazakhstani Producers was another key issue. Minister of Industry and Construction Yersaiyn Nagaspayev reported that 5,608 companies have already been authorized and 13,533 applications submitted.
Deputy Chairman of the Board of “Atameken” Nursultan Shokanov added that 1,924 holders of valid industrial certificates were automatically included in the Register, with up to 100 producers joining daily. This ensures a smooth transition to the digital system.
Businesses proposed categorizing enterprises by production cycle and scale, linking state support and procurement to localization levels and investment volumes, and introducing digital product tracking to enhance transparency.
Conclusion: A Dialogue That Shapes the Economy
Summing up the meeting, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov emphasized that the initiatives and proposals put forward by “Atameken” are supported by the Government. This underscores the Chamber’s role as an effective channel between business and the state.
Today, “Atameken” has become the main platform where entrepreneurs can raise concerns, receive support, and help solve systemic issues. This approach accelerates decision-making, improves regulatory quality, and creates a more sustainable environment for business development. At a time of constitutional change, tax transformation, and digitalization, such open and substantive dialogue may prove decisive for Kazakhstan’s economic future.
