Аңдатпа
The article focuses on the development of an integrated framework of measures to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Republic of Kazakhstan. A comprehensive analysis of the current state and regional distribution of SMEs was carried out, revealing both quantitative and qualitative dynamics of their growth between 2021 and 2024. The study emphasizes that SMEs contribute 37.4 % to Kazakhstan’s GDP and employ over 4.3 million people, underscoring their pivotal role in national economic diversification. Based on the research findings, a set of policy recommendations is proposed to strengthen SME performance: the adoption of digital production management tools to increase productivity without expanding employment; the establishment of start-up support programs in IT and technology sectors to enhance SME innovation capacity; and the attraction of investments into processing industries, particularly within agro-industrial clusters. Using methods of mathematical modeling and linear programming, the article forecasts key SME indicators until 2030, predicting an increase in their GDP share to 46.98 %, a 20 % rise in employment, and a 50.6 % growth in production output. The findings confirm that government support, infrastructure development, and digitalization remain decisive factors in SME progress. The proposed measures are expected to ensure sustainable regional development, improve labor productivity, and promote Kazakhstan’s transition toward an innovation-driven economy. Keywords: small and medium-sized enterprises; employment, share of SMEs in GDP, output, individual entrepreneurs, peasant farms.