President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to the office of the Creative Industries Development Fund has been described as an important step in strengthening Kazakhstan’s creative economy, DKNews.kz reports.
The Fund, created on the instruction of the Head of State, is expected to become a central platform bringing together talent, infrastructure, investment, promotion and export opportunities.
Tokayev’s visit signals new status for the sector
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balaeva said the President’s attention shows that creative industries are now seen as a strategic economic direction.
“The Head of State's visit is of fundamental importance, as it demonstrates that creative industries are no longer viewed as an auxiliary cultural sphere, but as a full-fledged area of economic and social development. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev consistently emphasizes unlocking human capital, supporting proactive youth, developing entrepreneurship, and fostering new sources of growth. The creative economy is at the intersection of these objectives. It creates jobs, develops digital content, creates new products, enhances the country's tourism appeal, and helps to express national identity in a modern language. For us, as the agency overseeing this area, it is important that the industry has received a clear institutional status. The creation of the Fund, at the instruction of the Head of State, signifies a shift from targeted measures to systemic work. The task now is to translate the President's attention into practical support tools for creators, regions, investors, and foreign markets.”
This suggests Kazakhstan is integrating culture and entrepreneurship into broader economic planning.
Fund designed as full-cycle support platform
The new office was presented as a showroom covering the entire process from idea creation to production, sales and promotion.
President Tokayev was shown:
- jewelry workshops
- carpentry spaces
- music halls
- carpet art hall
- artists’ hall
- fashion zone
- Yurt Capsule digital installation
The Yurt Capsule combines traditional Kazakh heritage with digital art, multimedia and modern storytelling.
Balaeva outlines key mission of the Fund
According to Balaeva, one of the sector’s main problems has been fragmentation.
“The Fund's primary goal is to overcome the fragmentation of the industry. Today, Kazakhstan already boasts strong creators, designers, musicians, artisans, and representatives of film, animation, fashion, digital art, and other fields. However, many of them are developing separately, without sustainable access to infrastructure, professional expertise, investment, and promotion channels. The Fund should not be an administrative superstructure, but a systemic operator for the industry. Its role is to connect talent, production, promotion, the market, and external opportunities. In other words, creators must understand where to approach their ideas, how to obtain support, how to package their products, how to find an audience, and how to expand beyond the local market. It is important that this work is carried out in accordance with the instructions of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The head of state emphasizes the creation of new economic opportunities, and the creative sector has the potential to become one of these areas. The Fund should help transform creative potential into sustainable economic value.”
Sector already supports thousands of jobs
Balaeva noted that Kazakhstan’s creative economy already has scale and momentum.
Current figures include:
- around 48,000 businesses
- approximately 160,000 people employed
“These figures demonstrate that Kazakhstan's creative economy already has a strong social and economic foundation. These approximately 48,000 businesses and 160,000 people employed represent not isolated initiatives but an entire sector that encompasses various professions, business models, and forms of self-realization. These figures represent the people who create added value through ideas, knowledge, technology, and cultural heritage. These include designers, producers, architects, artists, musicians, digital content developers, and representatives of fashion, media, film, animation, and folk arts. Their work already impacts employment, entrepreneurship, the urban environment, tourism, and the country's international image. Kazakhstan's policy in this area is aimed at ensuring that this potential does not remain undeveloped. It is important for us to create the conditions for improving the quality of projects, scaling them up, and promoting them in foreign markets. Therefore, the Fund must work not only with established players but also with those just entering the industry.”
Regional hubs planned across the country
The Fund will also coordinate creative hubs in all regional centers.
Balaeva said this is important because creative talent exists far beyond Astana and Almaty.
“The challenge is to ensure these ideas have access to a professional environment and development opportunities. A regional hub should become more than just a venue for events, but a center of excellence.”
Potential benefits include:
- support for young creators
- stronger local brands
- project mentoring
- team building
- integration into national programs
Culture as country branding tool
Balaeva also highlighted the role of creative products in shaping Kazakhstan’s global image.
“The most promising areas are those where national identity can be presented in a modern language understandable to an international audience. These include film, music, animation, design, fashion, digital art, jewelry, carpet art, handicrafts, and cultural tourism. It's important to understand that country branding isn't limited to a visual image or a tourism slogan. It is formed through the products, experiences, stories, and meanings a country offers the world.”
She added that projects such as the Yurt Capsule show how traditional heritage can be turned into contemporary exportable content.
Why this matters
Kazakhstan’s move to formalize support for creative industries reflects a wider shift in economic policy.
The sector can contribute to:
- job creation
- youth entrepreneurship
- tourism growth
- exports of cultural products
- stronger national branding
- regional development
As economies increasingly rely on ideas and intellectual property, creative industries may become a major new growth engine for Kazakhstan.
