As it is known, all countries worldwide implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals to improve the well-being of people and enhance the protection of our planet. In this regard, the faculty of the HSEB Economics Department actively contributes to the achievement of SDG 9, "Create sustainable infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and innovation," by implementing the research project AP19683020 "Study of new tools for the development of business environment in the regions of Kazakhstan to improve the investment attractiveness and competitiveness of the country in the Eurasia region" under the grant funding of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan for 2023-2025 yearsс. The project leader is Dinara Rakhmatullayeva, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer of the Economics Department.

According to SDG 9, SMEs are an essential factor in the development of industrialization of a country (about 90% in the world) and create new jobs (up to 60% in the world). The development and support of SMEs require quality basic infrastructure, inexpensive financing, and reliable logistics. In addition, according to the project's authors, it is equally important for companies to have a transparent and favorable environment for developing their own business, entering into new agreements, attracting investment, and creating added value. In this regard, the study's authors will develop new tools for assessing and growing the business environment and investment attractiveness of cities and regions of Kazakhstan. Their implementation will improve the transparency and predictability of Kazakhstan's business and investment environment, reduce risks and transaction costs for SMEs, and increase the profitability of their business.