Almaty: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a loan of up to $7 million (6 million euro) to Kazakh microlender Arnur Credit to bolster micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Kazakhstan. This financial support is part of the EBRD’s Youth in Business (YiB) programme for Central Asia, which specifically targets young entrepreneurs throughout the country.
According to Trend News Agency, this initiative represents the second YiB loan provided to Arnur Credit, aiming to enhance youth employment and entrepreneurship. In addition to the financial resources, eligible small enterprises will benefit from various capacity-building initiatives, consultative frameworks, and networking opportunities through the EBRD’s Advice for Small Businesses program. Earlier this year, Arnur Credit collaborated with the bank to deliver a YiB-driven training module for 65 emerging entrepreneurs in the regions of Shymkent, Turkestan, and Almaty.
The EBRD has been involved in Kazakhstan
since 1992, with efforts concentrated on improving private-sector competitiveness, connectivity, and economic governance. The bank also supports Kazakhstan’s transition to a green economy, promoting carbon neutrality and climate resilience, while fostering economic inclusion and gender equality through increased private-sector participation. To date, the EBRD has invested over 10 billion euro in more than 340 projects across Kazakhstan, primarily focusing on private sector development.