Twelve Second-Tier Banks get Data Bank on Astana Credit Needs

    Astana Akim Imangali Tasmagambetov has forwarded a data bank on the city’s credit demand to officials from 12 second-tier banks as part of the MоU between the akimat, the Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund and the Atameken Union, Kazinform reports.
    The data bank was prepared based on questionnaires answered by Astana-based entrepreneurs. The January 19 memorandum provides for the allocation of funds for financing small and medium-sized businesses in Astana to an amount of no less than KZT 30 billion at 12.5% per annum.
    “In spite of the current difficulties, the number of small and medium-sized businesses has risen by 12.7%. However in January production reduced by 15.1% comparedwith the same period of 2008. This was explained primarily by a lack of credit resources for small and medium-sized business,” Mr. Tasmagambetov said.
    According to Timur Zhaksylykov, deputy Astana akim, “a special working group under the akimat has collected over 800 applications from entrepreneurs who need loans” for a total of more than KZT 80 billion. According to our estimates the project implementation will create no less than 8,000 jobs”, he said.
    At present, there are more than 67 thousand small and medium-sized businesses in Astana. 105 thousand people work at these firms, according to Kazinform.