Abstract
Purpose of the research. The aim of the study is to identify the characteristics of creative industries in a developing country like Kazakhstan and derive the main obstacles. Research methodology. In this study, a descriptive analysis of the creative industries in Kazakhstan was carried out on the basis of a qualitative study (interview), in which 84 representatives of the following spheres took part: performing arts (26 %), design (20 %), craft (14 %), software and computer systems (13 %), music (13 %), cinematography (6 %), architecture (3 %), television and radio (2 %), interactive entertainment programs (3 %). Originality / value of the research. The concept of creative industries is gaining in importance and infl uence in both developed and developing countries. The results of the study are valuable for both academic and political spaces, enriching the literature with theoretical and practical recommendations for improving the development of creative industries. The results of the study. As a result of the study, codes were identifi ed, united into groups that formed the following categories: business model, motivation, fi nancing, technology, networks, barriers, position of Kazakhstan and COVID-19, according to which a qualitative analysis of domestic creative industries was carried out. As a result, the decoding of each code revealed that the bulk of the industry representatives (38 %) are individual entrepreneurs, 31 % are freelancers, 21 % are LLP representatives; the main source of funding are the representatives of the industry themselves (65 %), lending (17 %) and government support (6 %), which indicates a low involvement of government agencies in the development and support of creative industries. To eliminate barriers to development, it was proposed to increase the level of state involvement in the form of fi nancial and legal support, to establish communications with foreign representatives to exchange experience and improve the qualifi cations of domestic specialists, etc.