Astana, 23 October. Deputy Prime Minister and National Economy Minister Serik Zhumangarin, replying to a parliamentary inquiry, rejected all Kurultai deputies' proposals to support small grocery shops: lower taxes, caps on bank fees and a moratorium on fines for exceeding the maximum trade mark-up on socially important food.
Deputies wrote that corner shops are forced to take commercial loans at 45–48% a year, and in villages up to half of their working capital may be customers' debts, as food is sold on credit without interest. Deputy Ruslan Idrissov proposed not fining small shops for mark-ups until they are given access to wholesale lots of socially important food at preferential prices; otherwise, in his view, the state shifts responsibility onto small businesses.
The government replied that since 1 January 2026 the base rate under the simplified declaration has been 4%, and local councils may lower it to 2%. Capping fees by law, in the ministry's view, could weaken competition between banks and make other banking services more expensive, while exempting certain shops from liability would create unequal conditions on the market. Instead of new benefits, entrepreneurs are offered existing financing programmes.
A shop that lets neighbours buy food on credit without interest has been advised by the government to take out loans under existing programmes.
What it means: The government will make no exceptions for corner shops in taxes, fees or mark-up control; its argument is equal conditions for all market participants.
Who benefits: Large chains, which will not face competitors with privileges; the budget, which loses no revenue. The decision is unfavourable for small shops.
Background: The same day Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov criticised retail chains at a government meeting for making it hard for domestic producers to get their goods on the shelves.
List of sources used: BES.media, Informburo, Za nami vyekhali
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
