An international scientific and practical conference “Merchants and entrepreneurial traditions in Kazakhstan” was held at the School of Liberal Arts.

The purpose of the conference was to study the formation of entrepreneurial traditions in Kazakhstan, the activities and status of merchants, as well as the role of entrepreneurs in the economy, politics and culture of the country. Participants discussed the ways and meanings of socio-cultural self-realization of entrepreneurs.

“The topic of merchants is relevant not only scientifically, but also in the context of modern complex problems. Merchant entrepreneurship is an engine of economic transformation and a unique source of historical information and cultural exchange,” addressed Sergey Pen, Provost of Maqsut Narikbayev University.

At the opening of the conference, moderator Mukataeva L.K. noted that merchants arose at the dawn of civilization, became stronger in the Middle Ages, and in Modern times, with the support of the state, had a significant impact on public life.

During the conference, topical issues of modern entrepreneurs were discussed, their contribution to the cultural and social spheres through patronage and charity was considered, and factors contributing to the development of entrepreneurship at the national level were analyzed. The analysis of historical periods, including the Great Silk Road, was also carried out, the role of merchants and entrepreneurs in Soviet modernization, their contribution to economic development and social stability were studied.

The conference brought together a wide range of researchers and specialists from Turkey (Istanbul), Russia (St. Petersburg, Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Bugulma), Canada (Vancouver), various cities of Kazakhstan (Almaty, Astana, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kostanay, Karaganda, Semey, Petropavlovsk), providing a platform for fruitful exchange of opinions and scientific results.

The conference was organized within the framework of the scientific project of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan “The role of merchants in the transformation of the socio–cultural space in Kazakhstan in the late XIX – early XX centuries.” Following the results of the conference, an electronic collection of abstracts of the participants’ reports will be published. All materials have passed mandatory review.