The experience of
social entrepreneurial projects of Kazakhstan is intended to be adopted by
countries in the region, as stated by the participants of the Central Asian Kurultai
(Congress) of Social Entrepreneurs held in Astana. It brought together over 300
delegates, including businessmen, representatives of state agencies and
non-governmental organizations from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. The agenda included innovative approaches
to addressing social issues and effective mechanisms of the state support. The
figures reflect Kazakhstan’s experience in this direction, with over 260 social
enterprises successfully operating in various sectors. As of today, social
entrepreneurship is officially recognized in the country, with a corresponding
law including all benefits that came into effect last year. Kazakhstan is the
only country in the region that protects the rights of such entrepreneurs at the
legislative level.
“Nine preferences include tax incentives, providing premises on preferential terms, information promotion for social entrepreneurs, assistance in selling the products of social entrepreneurs, training, exchange of experience, acceleration programs, and providing microcredit. Starting next year, the Kazakh Ministry of National Economy is considering the option of transferring all grants from local executive bodies to social entrepreneurs,” said Emin Askerov, Chairman of the Association of Social Innovators of Kazakhstan.
“Our main goal is
to gather information about the support for social entrepreneurship. It is
important to address this issue in Central Asia. We are currently making
additions to a relevant draft law that we have already developed. I have taken
into account several interesting ideas on this topic raised during the kurultai.
When I return to Kyrgyzstan, I will present them to the Jogorku Kenesh,” said Kunduzbek
Sulaimanov, member of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic.
