Abstract
The article "The current state of development of innovation activity in manufacturing enterprises" examines the level and dynamics of innovation activity in Kazakhstan, focusing on manufacturing enterprises. The authors analyse the existing theoretical approaches to the definition of the concept of "innovation activity", study the state support of SMEs in this area and analyse statistical data on innovation activity in medium- and high-tech sectors of the manufacturing industry in Kazakhstan. The study identifies a number of problems: low level of innovation activity of enterprises, inefficiency of innovation expenditures, as well as a number of factors limiting the development of innovation activities, such as lack of demand for innovation, lack of financial resources, market uncertainty and lack of qualified personnel. The article offers a number of recommendations to improve the situation: the need for a systematic approach to the technological modernisation of industries, open discussion of the results of state programmes, adequate assessment of enterprises' capabilities for innovative development and setting target indicators.