Erlan Kanalimov, Chairman of the Creative Industries Development Fund, presented legislative initiatives for the development of creative entrepreneurship at a roundtable discussion entitled "Development of the Creative Economy in Kazakhstan," organized by the Adilet Party. The proposals include introducing tax incentives, lending secured by intellectual property, attracting investment, and improving state support. Particular attention is given to creating conditions for promoting Kazakhstani products in domestic and international markets.
The event was attended by Kurultai deputies, government officials, industry experts, and entrepreneurs. Creative industry representatives from the regions joined online.
Currently, approximately 228,000 people are employed in Kazakhstan's creative industries, and more than 67,000 businesses operate in the country. In 2025, the industry's gross added value reached 2.7 trillion tenge, while budget revenues amounted to 207 billion tenge. These figures demonstrate the sector's significant economic potential and the need for further development of financial and legislative instruments to support it. One of the key initiatives envisions establishing the Fund as a single operator without the need to establish an additional legal entity. This model will allow creative projects to be supported through a one-stop shop, from concept development and production organization to commercialization and export. It is also proposed to clearly delineate the powers of the Government, the Ministry of Culture and Information, and the Fund, assigning responsibility for developing industry policy, regulation, and implementing support measures.
Priorities include the introduction of tax incentives for creative industries, similar to those offered by the Astana Hub. These incentives are intended to stimulate the production of domestic products, the commercialization of intellectual property, and the attraction of private capital. The types of incentives, participant selection criteria, terms of provision, and monitoring mechanisms are proposed to be enshrined in the Tax Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
An important initiative is the creation of a bank lending mechanism secured by intellectual property. This will allow entrepreneurs to use copyrights and other intellectual assets as collateral for loans. Implementing such a mechanism requires an independent valuation of assets, mechanisms to mitigate banking risks, and legal guarantees for creators. However, receiving state support should not automatically transfer exclusive rights to works to the state.
To expand access to financing, the Foundation has proposed introducing targeted vouchers, partial reimbursement of production costs, co-investment, and loan guarantees. These instruments are intended to be applied based on the development stage and needs of a specific project. Banks, venture capital funds, and other financial institutions may be involved in the implementation of these programs, which will allow for risk sharing and expand opportunities for attracting private investment.
With regard to infrastructure development, the possibility of creating a Creative Industries Park, which would combine financial, infrastructure, and consulting support for entrepreneurs, is being considered. The possibility of introducing a special legal regime and preferences for its participants is being explored. Concurrently, the functionality of the Qazaq Creative digital platform is being expanded, integrating the registration of industry entities, application for support, access to services, and interaction with potential investors.
Increasing demand for domestic creative products is also a priority. To this end, measures are being considered to expand the participation of small studios and independent artists in commissions, support Kazakhstani projects at international exhibitions, and promote them through international digital platforms. Furthermore, drawing on the French experience, it is proposed to explore a mechanism for allocating a certain percentage of funds during the construction of public facilities for the creation or acquisition of works of art. This approach will generate additional demand for the work of local artists.
To ensure sustainable financing for the industry, the Foundation has proposed increasing the minimum mandatory deductions from lottery activities for the development of creative industries from 3% to 10%. The calculation is based on the difference between revenue from lottery ticket sales and the prize fund. Adoption of the corresponding amendments will increase the funding for creative entrepreneurship support programs.
Along with financial and organizational measures, the development of applied research in the creative economy was discussed with the participation of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Joint work between universities, research organizations, and industry representatives will enable the study of employment and export trends, intellectual property issues, and the impact of digital technologies on the development of creative businesses. The results obtained can be used in developing public policy and evaluating the effectiveness of existing programs. The Fund's legislative initiatives are aimed at creating a comprehensive system of support for creative entrepreneurship, increasing access to financing, and commercializing intellectual property. Their implementation will strengthen the competitiveness of Kazakhstan's creative industries, expand export opportunities, and increase the industry's contribution to the national economy.