Business rights commissioner of Kazakhstan Bolat Palymbetov took part in offsite meeting of the Business protection board of "Atameken" National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Karaganda region. Meeting with the Head of the region Yerlan Koshanov also took place within the visit.

Entrepreneurs' claims on the actions of law enforcement and problem issues of initiation of criminal cases by the Service of economic investigations of DSR of Karaganda region were discussed during the meeting.

As the Chairman of the Business protection anti-corruption board of "Atameken" NCE RK Kairbek Suleimenov noted, negative must be watched in order the trend or behavior not to arise where law enforcement can obtain negative effect from all the above. Kairbek Suleimenov also indicated the importance of mutual cooperation of the Chamber and law enforcement not only on republican level, but also at the local, district and local level.

According to the experience, claims relate to troubles of investigation of criminal cases, actions of law enforcement employees and claims on the actions of local police service employees. As it turned out, a criminal case is opened for an entrepreneur in five of nine cities in the region. It should be added that since 2015 as of today 12 addresses with complaints on internal affairs authorities were received in Karaganda region to the Chamber of entrepreneurs.

"The Head of the State set a challenge of decriminalization of economic offenses. In 2015, 80% of entrepreneurs underwent unreasonable criminal proceedings, in other words only 20% came to trial. As the result of the huge work made together with the General Prosecutor's Office the number of criminal cases on economic deeds of crime in recent two years five-fold decreased - from 8,170 in 2015 to 1,618 in 2017. Let's be clear that when the criminal case concerning entrepreneurs is initiated and then the paper is handed stating "the case was closed due to absence of the event of a crime", the first point is that the business loses credit limit in a bank. The second point is that the business cannot take part in any state programs. These troubles are just unnecessary", - explains business ombudsman Bolat Palymbetov. According to him, initiation of criminal case leads to business bankruptcy.

"This is intentional bankruptcy. That's why I request to take a responsible approach. I remember a general prosecutor's words stating he imposed sanctions and always thought of two things. First of all, damaged caused to an entrepreneur and secondly, loss of jobs", - Bolat Palymbetov says.

However, as session participants noted, currently there still is the threat of illegal charge with a criminal offense for entrepreneurs and as the result loss of their business, while the business itself wants openness and partner relationships from the local law enforcement.

The issue of individual entrepreneur Madina Zhakupbekova was brought again at the session of the Board. She won the tender to arrange the food in the canteen of Karaganda Academy of MIA RK. But the head of the academy by all means interfere with performance of the businesswoman's activity in full. It was announced at the session to send the letter to the Executive Office of the President on this case.

Except for the permanent members, representative of state authorities, field associations and business of the region took part in the work of the Board.

Business rights commissioner of Kazakhstan also conducted personal appointment and heard business's all the problem addresses within this visit. In particular, entrepreneurs worried about issues of land, state authorities' checks and their results, legislative and tax issues.