Census of business entities begins: enumerators visit firms, farms and stalls until 30 November

The first census of business entities in the Irad Special Economic Zone began on 15 October and will run until 30 November 2026, under Executive Directive 2026/24.

About 1,800 enumerators, most of them teachers and students of Talas State University, will visit registered companies, farms, workshops, market stalls and home businesses in the three cities and the six districts. The questionnaire takes about 25 minutes. Businesses may also complete it at Attelkom service points.

The register currently lists about 41,000 entities, and the real number of active businesses is expected to be considerably higher. “For thirty years we have planned the economy from tax filings and bank statistics,” Lieutenant Governor Aidar Maksat said. “Those tell us a great deal about NurGaz and Talasbank, and very little about a family selling apricots from a cart. This census is about seeing the whole economy.”

Answers are used for statistical purposes only and are not passed to tax inspectors. Business owners are asked to receive enumerators and to keep their ID card ready. Enumerators carry a Statistics Office card with a photograph and never ask for payment.

Preliminary results are due in the new year, ahead of the 2027 budget review.