S. Shapkenov informed about the development of social entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan

S. Shapkenov informed about the development of social entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan

Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serik Shapkenov spoke online at the international forum “Social Entrepreneurship: New Opportunities for Society and Business”, which took place in Taraz.

The event, organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan (hereinafter – MLSPP) together with the Akimat of the Zhambyl region, was attended by representatives of state bodies, deputies of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, representatives of the  Atameken NPP, the Kazakh and international scientific community in the field of social entrepreneurship, experts from Russia, Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and others.

In his speech, the head of the MLSPP noted that in conditions of limited resources of the state, social entrepreneurship is one of the most effective world approaches to solving social problems.

“In international practice, social entrepreneurship is understood not as a way to increase profits for business owners, but as the provision of services or production of goods in order to solve a certain social problem or provide benefits to society. Also, social entrepreneurship is a business launched by people with disabilities or entrepreneurs who provide jobs for people with special needs and representatives of socially vulnerable groups of the population, ”said Serik Shapkenov.

According to the minister, in countries where social entrepreneurship is developed (Great Britain, the United States and South Korea), there are many existing development institutions for social entrepreneurship, a large number of non-governmental organizations and social entrepreneurs, measures of financial and non-financial support are provided on an ongoing basis. In countries where social entrepreneurship is at the stage of formation (Colombia, Egypt, India), support measures are not provided on a permanent basis, there is an absence or a small number of development institutions and social entrepreneurs.

“In Kazakhstan, a number of incentive measures are envisaged in the tax legislation to support social entrepreneurship. For example, organizations, the number of employees with disabilities in which is 51%, are exempt from corporate income, social and land taxes, have benefits in the calculation of property tax, “- informed Serik Shapkenov.

Additionally, for all taxpayers, even those who are not social entrepreneurs, the following benefits are provided:

– in case of gratuitous transfer of property (to non-profit and social organizations) or the provision of charitable assistance, the amount of taxable income per value is reduced to 4%;

– the tax burden was reduced twice for the amount of paid wages to persons with disabilities and by 50% of the amount of social tax from wages and other payments to persons with disabilities;

– persons with disabilities are exempted from paying individual income tax (within 882 MCI or 2.4 million tenge per calendar year).

In addition, according to the law “On public procurement”, certain types of goods, works, services are purchased only from organizations of persons with disabilities in order to ensure their employment.

“Today, in order to develop social entrepreneurship, it is important to pay attention to promoting the culture of social entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan. Last week, members of the Senate of Parliament passed a law on social entrepreneurship. This will make it possible to form a clear definition and direction for the development of social entrepreneurship, to determine the criterion for classifying an enterprise as a subject of social entrepreneurship, to systematize measures of state support, ”the minister emphasized.

At the end of his speech, Serik Shapkenov expressed confidence that the forum held in Taraz will become an important step in the development of social entrepreneurship and strengthening cooperation between the state and entrepreneurs, and also asked the event participants to actively promote the issue of social entrepreneurship at various venues, taking into account the amendments to the legislation.

Within the framework of the two-day forum, 3 panel sessions will be held: “Development of social entrepreneurship in the world. Development Trends ”,“ Mechanisms for Supporting Social Entrepreneurship in the Republic of Kazakhstan ”,“ International Experience. Useful life hacks and tools ”, as well as master classes on the development of social entrepreneurship.