Almost half of Kazakhstan's small and medium-sized businesses today are linked to women's entrepreneurship. Behind the statistics are specific projects: manufacturing enterprises, tourist sites, beauty salons, and ateliers that create jobs, develop services, and transform regional economies.
According to the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, by 2025, more than one million women were heading small and medium-sized businesses — 48.1% of their total number. Women entrepreneurs are most notably present in trade, services and catering, education, the beauty industry, as well as in environmental and social projects.
Access to financing plays an important role in the development of women's entrepreneurship. Loan funds allow the purchase of equipment and commercial real estate, renovation, replenishing working capital, and launching new business directions.
Nurbank: Financing for Real Business Needs
In April 2026, Nurbank became one of the first banks in Kazakhstan to join the international initiative WE Finance Code – a Code for Financing Women Entrepreneurs. This global initiative is active in more than 30 countries and aims to expand access to financing for companies owned or managed by women. Nurbank's involvement in the initiative is a logical continuation of the bank's consistent work in supporting women's entrepreneurship.
A special place in Nurbank's product lineup is the "Business Khanym" program, designed with the specifics and needs of women's businesses in mind. It provides financing for investment goals, working capital replenishment, and refinancing of existing loans. Within the program, secured loans of up to 100 million tenge are available, and in case of insufficient collateral, a guarantee from JSC "Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund" can be used.
The bank emphasizes that the focus on women's entrepreneurship is based not only on its significant contribution to the economy but also on analyzing the quality of the credit portfolio. Practice shows that women entrepreneurs make balanced and systematic decisions, demonstrate high payment discipline, and responsibly fulfill financial obligations.
"Nurbank evaluates, first and foremost, business potential, not gender. Market data analysis helps us understand the real needs of women in business and offer solutions that will work for their success here, now, and in the future. At the same time, we take into account the need for more flexible services and the high social burden on women," noted Alexey Majuga, Deputy Chairman of Nurbank's Board.
Furthermore, the main result of bank support is best demonstrated not by the conditions of the programs themselves, but by the stories of female entrepreneurs who use financing to develop specific projects.
Victoria Kabin: From Experience in HoReCa to Her Own Production
Victoria Kabin has been working for many years in the catering, event organization, and sales sectors. Her experience in the restaurant business helped her understand the needs of the HoReCa segment, quality requirements for products, procurement, and logistics.
In 2025, the entrepreneur approached Nurbank's Kostanay branch with an interesting business idea. The project that Victoria developed with her husband involved a full cycle of beef processing, producing fresh meat, semi-finished, and finished products for the regional market. An important component of the project is that all products are prepared with proprietary recipes using local flour and meat, with mandatory multi-stage quality control. In September 2025, the project received funding under the "Өрлеу" program. The funds were directed to purchasing commercial premises, conducting renovations, and purchasing meat processing equipment. Victoria took on an important part of the work - project implementation.
Today, the facility operates under the FIRST brand and encompasses several areas: producing a wide range of semi-finished products, catering, and corporate catering organization. The financing enabled the transition from a business idea to an active production.
Victoria's project demonstrates how the combination of professional experience, understanding of market needs, and bank financing can create a modern full-cycle production facility and supply the regional market with fresh products.
Aynur Zhakybayeva: A Project Developing Domestic Tourism
The "Forest and Stars" glamping site is located in Akmola region, near Borovoye and Zhukey Lake. This family project combines nature recreation with customary comfort levels. Guests have access to tent houses, A-frame homes, a bathhouse, a swimming pool, bicycles, and ATVs.
The glamping has been operating since 2021. Today, its accommodation includes 11 tent houses, 3 A-frame houses, a dome, and a separate house. Soon, 5 barn houses will welcome their first guests. In the season, the complex hosts more than 3,000 guests. In 2022, "Forest and Stars" was recognized as the best tourist project in Akmola region.
For further expansion, the entrepreneur used Nurbank's "Өрлеу" program for supporting micro, small, and medium businesses with the assistance of JSC "Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund". The financing received helped continue construction, develop infrastructure, and create new recreation areas.
"Thanks to the bank's support, we were able to continue construction, develop infrastructure, and move forward much faster," notes Aynur Zhakybayeva, co-founder of "Forest and Stars" glamping.
Looking ahead, the entrepreneur plans to develop a restaurant direction, build a spa zone, and a year-round swimming pool.
Anastasia Pak: A Space of Beauty, Style, and Women's Confidence
Anastasia Pak is an entrepreneur from Karaganda and the founder of the women's club Velvet and LINDA BOUTIQUE ATELIER. Her projects revolve around creating a comfortable space where women can receive a range of services, select an individual look, and feel free and confident.
Velvet combines beauty treatments and sports areas: dance, stretching, and yoga. The idea for LINDA BOUTIQUE ATELIER arose from Anastasia's daily interactions with clients. The entrepreneur saw a demand for stylish and quality clothing that could be chosen with consideration for a woman's individual features.
The boutique atelier opened in September 2025. It offers everyday, classic, and evening outfits, outerwear, shoes, bags, and accessories. Clients also have access to the fitting of ready-made items and custom tailoring. The project participates in city fashion shows, photo shoots, collaborations, and social initiatives aimed at supporting women.
For project development, Anastasia approached Nurbank. The bank provided financing through the "Өрлеу" program to support micro, small, and medium businesses with the assistance of JSC "Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund". The funds were allocated to purchasing her own commercial real estate.
"This was not only financial support for me but also significant moral support. It is valuable to feel that professionals in the financial sector believe in you. I am grateful for the trust placed in me and hope that ahead of us lies new joint projects, expansion, and further business development," says Anastasia Pak.
The financing allowed the entrepreneur to strengthen the material base of the project and create conditions for its further scaling. Plans include developing a clothing tailoring direction for organizations, entering marketplaces, expanding cooperation with foreign suppliers, and promoting Kazakhstani brands.
From Entrepreneurial Idea to Regional Development
The three stories represent different industries and show how financing helps address specific business challenges. For Victoria Kabin, financing helped launch production. Aynur Zhakybayeva was able to accelerate the development of the tourism infrastructure of "Forest and Stars" glamping. Anastasia Pak acquired her own commercial real estate and strengthened the foundation for further scaling of Velvet and LINDA BOUTIQUE ATELIER projects.
What unites these projects is the fact that financing becomes most effective when it relies on the entrepreneur's experience, a clear business model, and a specific development plan. In this case, the loan helps not just address an immediate need but creates production, improves service quality, strengthens regional business, and opens new jobs.
Support for women in business is not only an investment in individual entrepreneurial projects but also a contribution to stable economic development of the country. Expanding access to financing allows women entrepreneurs to launch new productions, modernize enterprises, create jobs, and develop regional economies.
Behind every statistic lies an entrepreneurial story, where a strong idea receives the necessary resources for realization.
License (Universal Banking License) for banking and other transactions No. 1.1.849/146 dated 17.08.2026 issued by APRFR. License for securities market activities No. 1.2.15/193 dated 03.02.2020 issued by APRFR.
Source: https://inbusiness.kz/en/news/from-idea-to-development-how-nurbank-supports-women-entrepreneurs-projects