URALSK, West Kazakhstan Oblast, 12 October 2020 - Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V. (KPO) launched an online training program for representatives of WKO small and medium enterprises (SME) on development of core competencies in business among local entrepreneurs.

The project was initiated by Burlin District Akimat with financial support from KPO as part of the implementation of KPO Local Content Development Program.

The project is aimed at opportunities for developing and boosting the competitiveness of local small and medium enterprises and is intended to support state initiatives on SME development including companies which activities are not directly linked to oil and gas industry.

The deputy Burlin District Akim Yerkebulan Ikhsanov said: “Small and medium-sized enterprises are one of the main indicators of economic development. That is why our country attaches great importance to this matter. Hopefully, today’s workshop, that was organized by KPO, will help to facilitate the development of small and medium-sized businesses in our region”.

Addressing training participants, KPO Local Content Development Manager Armat Ichshanov noted: “By organizing such workshops, we are seeking to offer the attendees as much as possible valuable information required for doing business efficiently. It is also important for us to understand what needs to be done for small and medium enterprises, so that, based on the feedback we receive, we would be able to drive efforts in support and to continue holding hand-on training sessions”.

The project envisages that around 8-10 training sessions will be held, each session comprising 16 hours of theoretical and practical trainings. During the sessions, the trainees will acquire business managing and planning skills and also will be provided with information about state programs for support of small business implemented within the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Moreover, the session will cover the information about procurement systems both in public organizations and also in companies which apply its own procurement rules (subsoil users, national companies).

According to Armat Ichshanov, the plan is to identify the key areas for future development and to take effective steps towards enhancement of quality of business running.

«It is highly appreciated that KPO is providing entrepreneurs with a unique opportunity to expand their skills and knowledge by arranging such business trainings and professional certifications,” - said one of the workshop’s participants.

Following the training, the workshop participants were awarded with training completion certificates.

KPO Corporate Affairs Department