Government session chaired by the Prime Minister Askar Mamin addressed the development of the “economy of simple things” as part of the task of increasing domestic production raised by the First President – Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev in the Address to the People of Kazakhstan, and fulfilling instructions from Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the diversification of the economy, given during his business trips to regions of the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Zhenis Kassymbek, Chair of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs Ablay Myrzakhmetov reported on the work of the Project Office for the implementation of the Program of concessional lending, measures to increase the local content in the procurement of products of the "economy of simple things." Akims of Nur-Sultan Altai Kulginov and Atyrau region Nurlan Nogayev, Zhambyl region — Ablay Myrzakhmetov, Turkistan region — Umirzak Shukeyev were heard.

“Through developing the ‘economy of simple things,’ we are solving the problems of SME development and employment, creating new jobs,” noted Askar Mamin. “All this has a positive effect on the development of the economy.”

In the work of the Project Office there are more than 1,500 projects of the “economy of simple things” worth more than 1 trillion tenge.

According to the projects of “economy of simple things,” high activity of business is manifested in Akmola, Mangystau, Pavlodar, Kyzylorda, and Turkistan regions. In turn, the akims of Atyrau, Kostanay, West Kazakhstan regions and the city of Nur-Sultan were instructed to intensify the production of consumer goods, including with an emphasis on the volume and cost of products.

The head of the Government said that, taking into account the proposals of the business community and government agencies, changes were made to the conditions of concessional financing for the development of projects of the “economy of simple things.” In particular, the interest rate was reduced to 6%, a grace period for loan repayment was introduced, and 45 new types of products were included. The measures taken will expand the range of companies — recipients of concessional financing.

In order to further enhance this work, Prime Minister Askar Mamin instructed to work out the possibility of allocating funds to increase subsidies to replenish working capital of projects of the agro-industrial complex.

Along with this, the central government agencies, akimats, and holding managers are entrusted with ensuring the achievement of the key performance indicators in increasing the share of local content in the procurement of goods and services of the “economy of simple things.”

“The program of developing the ‘economy of simple things’ is an important tool for developing entrepreneurship and providing employment,” said Askar Mamin. “All projects are implemented in the regions. Akims should be more actively involved in the implementation of the program, propose new projects, and carry out appropriate explanatory work.”