The production calendar is essential for effectively managing workloads within an organization. It is used by all companies in Kazakhstan when planning their activities for the upcoming year.
In 2025, Kazakhstanis will enjoy a large number of rest days. For a standard five-day workweek, there will be 246 working days (compared to 249 in 2024), and 119 days allocated for weekends and holidays (117 in 2024).
As of July 1, 2024, Kazakhstan has registered 532,980 legal entities and 1,753,485 individual entrepreneurs. Additionally, over 2.2 million people are self-employed. The number of business representatives in each segment is steadily growing. This is due to favorable conditions created in the country: a lenient tax regime, the ability to work officially without a visa, and actively developing digitalization that simplifies most business processes.
What holds back proactive individuals from registering a business? Many face the problem: wanting to start their own business but not knowing what kind. What businesses are currently relevant in Kazakhstan? Let's explore the top business ideas for 2025.
When purchasing goods (from household appliances and electronics to clothing and shoes), different payment options are offered — including installment plans and loans. The essence of both methods is simple: you borrow the required amount from the bank and repay it in parts over a set period. But what exactly distinguishes an installment plan from a loan?
When a person is employed, they receive a salary to cover food, housing, and other needs. But how can one meet their needs after being laid off? In case of job loss, Kazakhstan provides social benefits, regulated by the Social Code. These payments come from a fund formed through monthly contributions. Employers make these contributions, while individual entrepreneurs pay them independently.
A client applying for a loan at a bank may face a rejection. Why is a loan not approved? One of the key reasons is a poor credit history. This term refers to all records about how a borrower fulfilled previous loan obligations: how many loans they took out and for what amounts, whether they made payments on time, and if they had any debts. Based on this information, the bank decides whether the client is trustworthy and can be expected to repay the loan.
Investing is considered one of the most popular tools for generating passive income.
However, opinions about investing vary. Some believe it’s complex and requires expertise to make profitable deals. Others argue that it’s as easy as downloading an app and buying assets. Let's break down what investing is and how to start investing money in Kazakhstan.
Businesses that handle cash frequently need to deposit funds into a bank. However, transporting large sums of money can be risky. Cash collection services ensure secure transportation and help maintain the safety of your financial assets.
When entering into transactions that carry financial risks (such as buying an apartment under a shared construction scheme), an escrow account is often used. It is designed to protect the interests of both parties during unforeseen circumstances, secure the funds, and reduce the chances of misconduct. Escrow accounts can be opened by individuals, legal entities, and individual entrepreneurs.
According to the National Bank of Kazakhstan, over 1.2 billion transactions were made using bank cards in September 2024 alone, totaling more than 16.8 trillion tenge.
However, for a business to accept such payments, it must connect to a banking service known as acquiring.
Both individuals and entrepreneurs may face situations where they lack sufficient personal funds for specific needs — for example, purchasing home appliances or raw materials for production. In such cases, the optimal solution is to apply for a bank loan. However, alongside standard loan products, banks in Kazakhstan also offer tools such as an overdraft, a credit line, and an account credit limit.
To enable a buyer to pay for goods and services in the Republic of Kazakhstan, it is necessary to create an invoice, which is more conveniently and quickly done online. This document is one of the primary ones in transactions between counterparties. How accurately it is filled out determines the successful transfer of funds to the seller or service provider's account.
Digital currency is a logical extension of Kazakhstan’s active digitization of its economy. As a result, in 2021, the National Bank of Kazakhstan launched a pilot project called “Digital Tenge,” developed with the participation of market representatives, experts, and international partners.
This series of interviews with Kazakhstani entrepreneurs continues with the story of Maria Lipinskaya, the founder of "AsiaEliteFoodGroup." Today, the company produces more than 50 types of dairy products, including sour cream, cream, and cottage cheese, and its workforce has long exceeded 50 employees.
However, 20 years ago, the thought of a massive production facility was not even a dream. Maria worked at a successful company, and a chance event led her to contemplate starting her own business. The owner of the enterprise where Maria worked decided to change the business's profile. These changes motivated Maria to take a bold step – she left her job and opened her own company specializing in the sale of raw materials and ingredients for dairy production. The company quickly gained a solid reputation in the market, actively developed, and expanded its list of partners. One of these partners suggested to Maria the idea of starting a joint venture.
Today in Kazakhstan, to pay for goods and services with a card, you don’t even need to take out your wallet – the transaction can be completed using your phone. This is contactless payment, which is facilitated by apps like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, or Garmin Pay.
One of the key tips for investors is to use a variety of tools to increase their savings. Therefore, in addition to acquiring securities, investments in precious metals, including gold, are also in demand. According to experts, precious metals, including gold, can make up to 15% of an investment portfolio.
Travel requires thorough preparation, including ensuring all documents are collected. Equally important is verifying if there is a travel ban from Kazakhstan. If you find out at the border that you are prohibited from leaving, your vacation will be ruined, and your plans will have to change on the fly. It is better to find out in advance so you can resolve the situation before your departure and enjoy your vacation.