Here's a fresh take on the Ulttyq Onim exhibition!
Domestic Art Show Debuts in Astana
Step right up to the annual Ulttyq Onim extravaganza, held at the Expo International Exhibition Center! This shindig brings together a whopping 350 Kazakh producersfrom across the nation, showcasing a mind-boggling array of products spanning numerous industries. From food and light products to chemical industries, machinery, jewelry, and more, there's something for everyone.
Residents and tourists of the capital city can wander through the sea of goods, snapping up local Kazakhstan-made wonders with a nudge from the government, thanks to support programs like the Damu Fund.
Minister of Economy and Financial Planning, Serik Zhumaniyazov, couldn't be happier with this year's event, calling it "the best proof and demonstration of the growth of our domestic entrepreneurship." He notes that domestic producers are steadily solidifying their positions at home and abroad, becoming recognizable brands that break into the export market. With the government's continued support for small and medium-sized businesses, these numbers are only set to climb.
According to the Minister, Kazakhstan is focusing on accelerating the development of its real economy. In fact, the government has launched an open tender for investment projects in high-priority areas, including IT, logistics, tourism, food production, construction materials, machinery, and the light industry. In these sectors, businesses will receive comprehensive support.
Visitors were treated to a smorgasbord of in-demand products, including kitchen stoves, medical and ventilation equipment, feed, suitcases, clothing, footwear, textiles, construction materials, and antiseptics. One stand-out participant was LLP "Production Complex Aurora", which has been churning out disinfectants, cleaning products, and cosmetics for the past 15 years. Their product line boasts over 40 types of cosmetics, 55 household chemicals, and more than 80 disinfectants.
Regional director of LLP "Production Complex Aurora", Yermek Yerkyinov, shares that their products prioritize efficiency, safety, and affordability. Top-sellers among their wares include dishwashing detergents, liquid soap, and various household chemicals for cleaning kitchens, homes, and laundry. Keep an eye out for their latest innovations: aroma diffusers for homes and offices, as well as an expansive line of children's products under the Booboo brand. You can find their products cropping up in Kazakh retail networks, online marketplaces, and even in neighboring countries.
The numbers don't lie – in 2024, the government allocated a staggering 336 billion tenge through the holding "Baiterek" to support businesses. An impressive 29,500 projects received state backing, totaling a whopping 1.7 trillion tenge in loans. This generosity led to the creation of 9,700 jobs, the production of goods valued at 25.4 trillion tenge, and tax collections amounting to 1.7 trillion tenge. The SME sector's employment share reached a hefty 48% of the population in 2024, contributing nearly 40% to the country's GDP.
Dariya Stamgalieva
- Enrichment Insight: Though specific details about the 2022 government support for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in priority sectors were not found, it's well known that the Damu Fund plays a significant role in financing their development. The Kazakh government has been actively championing SMEs in various industries, with a focus on economic diversification and improving the business climate. Priority sectors include IT, logistics, tourism, and food production. To encourage growth in these sectors, the government has implemented measures such as the Investment Policy Concept, launched a National Digital Investment Platform, and made ready-made industrial sites available in special economic zones.
- The Ulttyq Onim exhibition showcases a variety of products from Kazakh businesses across several industries, including home-and-garden, finance, lifestyle, and business.
- As the government continues to support small and medium-sized businesses in priority sectors like food production, machinery, and IT, they are solidifying their positions domestically and overseas, becoming recognizable brands in the export market.
- Visitors at the Ulttyq Onim exhibition had the opportunity to shop for a wide range of goods, such as kitchen stoves, cleaning products, and cosmetics, produced by businesses that have benefited from government support programs like the Damu Fund.