The Orleu program: business loans at 12.6% — terms for 2026

Program terms

Which sectors qualify

The program supports priority activities. The fund publishes the list by OKED codes — 93 codes on damu.kz. The main areas are:

• —manufacturing: food, textiles, chemicals, building materials, furniture, metalworking;
• —transport and warehousing;
• —tourism;
• —IT and creative industries.

Check your OKED code against the list before going to the bank. If the code does not qualify, an Orleu application will not be accepted, however good the project. Businesses outside the list should look at other measures — for example, Isker Aimak for micro and small businesses.

What the loan can be used for

• —Investment: new production or expansion of existing production, construction, equipment purchases, renovation of premises.
• —Working capital: raw materials and supplies, rent, utilities, wages.
• —Commercial property: a warehouse, workshop or production premises — if the property is needed for a priority-sector activity and this is justified in the project.
• —Refinancing of loans issued no earlier than 1 December 2025.

What the program does not finance

• —buying an existing business, or real estate if the purchase is not linked to a priority-sector activity and not justified in the project;
• —stakes in other companies, securities, dividends;
• —repayment of old debts, taxes and mandatory payments;
• —expenses incurred before the loan was received;
• —consumer purposes and third-party assets;
• —imported assets that have domestic equivalents.

With real estate, the way the purpose is framed decides the outcome. A warehouse, workshop or other commercial premises can be bought under Orleu if the property is needed for a priority-sector activity and the project shows how it serves the business: new capacity, expanded production, logistics. Without that justification the application will not go through.

Counter-obligations

In return for the concessional rate, the business takes on obligations. For investment projects that create or expand production — at least one new job for every ₸100 million of financing. Participating banks also cite a requirement to keep headcount and to grow tax payments or income by 10% within two years. The exact terms are fixed in the agreement — read them before signing.

Who cannot take part

• —companies in which the state owns 25% or more of the charter capital;
• —companies registered in offshore zones or with more than 10% held by offshore participants;
• —borrowers with loan arrears over 60 days or tax debt;
• —companies affiliated with large businesses;
• —producers and wholesalers of excisable goods (except medical alcohol-based products).

How to apply

• 1.Choose a participating bank. According to the fund, these are Halyk Bank, Bank CenterCredit, Freedom, ForteBank, Bereke Bank, Nurbank, KZI Bank, Eurasian Bank and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan.
• 2.Submit an application to the bank with a business plan, financial statements and details of collateral.
• 3.The bank reviews the project and decides. Loans over ₸750 million also need the fund’s approval.
• 4.The bank passes the approved project to the fund, and the fund and bank sign a financing agreement.
• 5.The bank and the entrepreneur sign the loan agreement, and the money is disbursed for the project’s purpose.

How much you can save: an example

A ₸300 million loan over 7 years for equipment. At 24% a year the payment is about ₸7.4 million a month and total interest about ₸322 million. At 12.6% the payment is about ₸5.4 million and total interest about ₸153 million. The difference is about ₸169 million over the loan term, or roughly ₸2 million every month.

Work out your own amount in the loan calculator — choose the Orleu program.

Program terms are based on information from damu.kz, participating banks and operators as of October 2026 and may change. The bank decides on the loan; the Damu Fund decides on subsidies and guarantees. We are a consulting company and do not issue loans.