Offering the best to clients, being a reliable and loyal partner, valuing their trust are the values of NurBank that have been proclaimed for 30 years. The bank's clients are engaged in what they truly love and wish to introduce something new, creating something genuinely valuable for this world.
Small and medium-sized businesses in Kazakhstan grew by over 10% in 2022. Almaty, Kazakhstan's financial, economic, and cultural center, leads in the number of active SMEs (over 90,000 small enterprises).
Working with SME clients is always a priority in NurBank's Almaty branch. Business in Almaty is multifaceted and diverse. We will share the stories of Almaty clients of the bank who have not only built successful businesses but are making the world better, brighter, cleaner, and bringing real benefits to society. These stories inspired us, and they might inspire you too.
NurBank finances socially significant projects
The bank is interested in financing social projects. In the loan portfolio structure of the Almaty SME branch, the shares of loans in healthcare and social services dominate at 31%, services at 42%, industry at 13%, real estate operations and construction at 13% and 9%, respectively.
One of the successful clients in healthcare is the medical center 'Keruyen-Medicus'. The company's CEO Aigul Shalbaeva spoke about its emergence:
'Keruyen-Medicus' started with a medical outpatient clinic and grew into a multidisciplinary medical center with a staff of 350 people. In 2016, NurBank financed the purchase of medical equipment. In 2020, the 'Keruyen' holding decided to open a new maternity ward. NurBank helped us realize this project. The clinic actively uses new technologies. We provide medical care not only to residents of Almaty but also to patients from near and far abroad. The projects of recent years have been implemented thanks to NurBank's financing. We are grateful to the bank's staff for professional support at all stages of cooperation. I would like to note that 'Keruyen-Medicus' is a subsidiary of the 'Keruyen' holding, and we have used NurBank's loans in various areas of its activities.'
NurBank supports the development of the 'green' economy. NurBank client Erkebulan Suyumbayev, director of ALEM Tynysy LLP, considers the ecological aspect of business more important than its profitability. The company is engaged in processing chemical toxic waste by recovering it and obtaining a secondary product.
'Previously, this waste was destroyed, but we give it a second life. We are pioneers in processing, as such a thing has not been done before—transforming liquid chemical waste into products. From them, we create antifreezes, water-glycol solutions, heat carriers, antifreeze, and even containers for them,' says Erkebulan.
The environmental situation in Kazakhstan is dire, says the expert. Tens of thousands of tons of industrial waste are spilled into soil and water, poisoning our lives.
'Our project is implemented within the framework of research. NurBank believed in it and supported it. We used loans under the business support program 'DAMU'. NurBank staff demonstrated competence and flexibility in all matters. We constantly invest in equipment to achieve maximum product purity. During our activities, we have processed 1,500 tons of toxic waste. For comparison: 1 liter of waste can pollute 1 million liters of water,' added Erkebulan Suyumbayev.
NurBank welcomes women's entrepreneurship. The development of women's entrepreneurship has become one of the most relevant trends in the world. NurBank client Aigul Dzhaniazova, founder of Kazakhstan's first women's hostel, believes that women in business have enormous potential. According to Aigul, the key to a successful business is an inspiring idea: 'When I opened the country's first women's hostel, I was warned that by limiting clients to women, I would not be able to generate a profit. But I knew there was a demand for such a hotel among a certain circle of women. On July 1, the hostel turned 2 years old; we survived a tough period due to the pandemic, there was a time when the hostel operated with just one guest. Our guests are traveling women from near and far abroad who come to the city for new experiences, for education. Our mission is to ensure comfort and safety for women during their travels. Judging by the feedback from guests, we are managing to fulfill the task. The business also has a social direction, as the issue of women's vulnerability still exists in society.'
'If you think a hostel is a place of dubious comfort, then in my case, it's not true. I furnished it with great love, thought through everything to the smallest detail. Our guests have access to everything they need: yoga mats, first aid kits, sewing and other accessories, umbrellas, and so on. I approached NurBank with the idea of creating a new format hostel and received a loan within the business support program 'DAMU'. The choice of the bank was due to the fact that I once worked here as a lawyer, and the bank gave me a springboard. Years later, I returned here, and there were already new faces. But familiar walls help. I plan to open hostels in other regions. And, of course, I will turn to NurBank for help again,' concluded Aigul.
NurBank finances startups and author projects. The author of children's educational constructors with unlimited assembly options, Nurlan Baytimanov, holds a patent for their invention, indicating the project's exclusivity not only in Kazakhstan but worldwide. Photo: from Nurlan Baytimanov's personal archive
'When I decided to start toy production, I approached all the partner banks of the 'DAMU' fund, and NurBank offered me the most convenient conditions. Business is tough; if you aren't ready to work 12 hours daily, it's better not to take it on. But the result is worth it. In Kazakhstan, 99.9% of toys are imported from abroad, but I decided to create domestic toys. My children's constructors are a universal educational tool that develops hand motor skills, thinking, memory, imagination, and other important skills for a child,' says Nurlan.
There are many more such stories, and the bank is proud of its clients who were not afraid to pursue their dreams. The success of a client's business is the best recognition of NurBank's role in achieving goals.
Source: nur.kz