OECD Webinar

On June 9, 2021, an online OECD webinar was held on the topic: "In the spotlight — Kazakhstan: digitalization and conditions of SME activity".

The discussion focused on ways to improve the regulatory and operational environment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), based on the findings of the authors of the OECD report "Improving the Legal Environment for Entrepreneurship and Investment in Central Asian Countries".

The webinar was attended by more than 50 people, including representatives of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the European Union (EU), the Ministries of National Economy, Finance, Foreign Affairs, digital development, innovation and aerospace Industry, health, Labor and Social Protection of the population of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Entrepreneurship Development Fund "Damu" JSC, National Information Technologies JSC and National Information and Communication Holding "Zerde" JSC.

From the Economic Research Institute JSC (hereinafter-the Institute) this webinar was attended by:

• Director of the Center for World Economy Studies Dolores Tyulebekova;
• leading expert of the center Alibek Raipov;
• head of the NCC Secretariat of Kazakhstan A. Kassenova

The online webinar was opened with a welcome speech by First Vice-Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Timur Zhaksylykov and Head of the Cooperation Department of the EU Delegation Johannes Stenbeck-Madsen.

Presentations were made by the following representatives of the OECD:

• Economist and Economic analyst at the OECD's Eurasia Division, Amelia Schurich-Rey.
• Economic analyst at the OECD's Eurasia Division, Luke Mackl.
• Consultant to the OECD Directorate for Public Administration Rene Res.
• Daniel Trnka, Senior Economic Analyst, OECD Directorate for Public Administration.

During the discussion of the reports, the following aspects of the report prepared by the OECD were raised:

• dissemination of digital technologies and business conditions in the small and medium-sized business (SME) sector);
• the coronavirus crisis and digital technologies;
• regulatory impact assessment.

Following the results of the webinar, the participants made suggestions for improving and updating the information and data used in the report to bring it in line with the real situation in the final version in the coming year.