Abstract
Small innovative enterprises (SIEs) constitute a critical driver of Kazakhstan’s economic transformation by promoting technological advancement and enabling the diversification and expansion of export-oriented sectors. In light of intensifying global competition and the nation’s strategic orientation toward non-resource-based exports, evaluating the effectiveness of public financial support instruments targeting SIEs has become increasingly pertinent. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of current governmental support mechanisms, with particular attention to their influence on the export performance of small innovative enterprises between 2021 and 2024. Key financial tools under review include the "Innovation Grant", "Business Road Map", "Economy of Simple Things", and various subsidy programs administered through development institutions such as QazInnovations, DAMU, and Baiterek. Employing statistical methods, SWOT analysis, and elements of correlation analysis, the research identifies the nexus between public financing and export outcomes. The article offers policy-oriented recommendations aimed at refining financial instruments to better align with the challenges of international market expansion and at fostering institutional conditions conducive to the sustainable growth of export-driven innovation within the small business sector.