We were established in 2001 as Limited Rural Credit Partnership "Arnur and K". In 2004, the Limited Rural Credit Partnership "Arnur and K" changed its status, becoming a Limited Liability Partnership "Microcredit Organization Arnur Credit".

In 2007, as a sign of compliance with the transparency signs, we were awarded a degree of 5 diamonds by the international web platform MIX Market, which unites microfinance organizations from around the world.

In 2006, we became a member of the Association of Microfinance Organizations of Kazakhstan (AMFOK). The main goal of the Association is to develop the microfinance sector to ensure sustainable access of the population to financial services to reduce poverty and maintain economic growth.

Since 2004, we continue to grow our branch network by opening branches and offices in cities and villages of the Turkestan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. By 2009, we covered the entire territory of the Turkestan region, becoming a transparent and stable company for the provision of microcredits.

We became a full member of the Microfinance Centre for Central and Eastern Europe and the CIS countries (Warsaw, Poland). MFC is a microfinance centre that brings together more than 100 developed countries of Central and Eastern Europe, whose activities are aimed at strengthening and promoting the interests of its members and the microfinance sector of Kazakhstan as a whole.

We began to expand our geographical presence in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. We opened branches in cities and villages of Almaty, Zhambyl and Kyzylorda regions and in Almaty city centre.

We signed an agreement with First Credit Bureau LLP to provide information and receive microcredit reports timely identifying and reducing legal, economic, and reputational risks when working with clients.

The international rating company "Microfinanza Rating" carried out an international social rating assessment of our activities and assigned the rating "With a promising future". The assessment requires: “Adequate ability to effectively translate our mission into practice and promote social values. Moderate likelihood of achieving social goals".

By the 10-year anniversary our loan portfolio has reached 1,780,372,117 KZT. In our 10 years of activity, we have issued 19 145 loans totalling more than 6,767,987,378 KZT. More than 50% of loans were issued for the development of agriculture in the Turkestan region and with the aim of improving the living conditions of the rural population.

We started to implement “Strengthening HR Policies and Procedures at Arnur Credit” project, co-financed by IFC and Incofin Investment Management. The project was carried out by the consulting company BFC and included the provision of technical assistance to strengthen HR policies and procedures, including the selection and training program for loan officers.

In cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), “Arnur Credit – Institutional Development and Capacity Building” project was completed. Frankfurt School of Finance & Management provided the technical consultancy in the project.

We opened our own Training Centre. The main task of the Department is the professional development of the personnel of Arnur Credit – retraining, advanced training, rotation and certification of employees. Professional growth and care for personnel are the basis for Arnur Credit's success.

In June 2015, we successfully passed state re-registration as the microfinance organization (MFO) "Arnur Credit" and was entered into the register of microfinance organizations in the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

At the end of 2015, the number of women borrowers in our total active portfolio has reached 42.31%, the number of rural borrowers has reached 86.23%.

A technical assistance project was launched in cooperation with IFC on strategic planning. Within the framework of this project, with the help of IFC consultants, the following activities were carried out:

• diagnostics of the current MFO strategy.
• market research.
• conducting seminars with key employees of MFIs with the participation of members of the Board.

Over the next years, IFC will monitor the implementation of the project at Arnur Credit.

In April, International School of Marketing LLP conducted marketing research for Arnur Credit to study the market and the needs of microfinance clients. As a result of the work, a Corporate Sales Book was created, which defines the rules and standards for a high level of service.

We participated the small medium business support program of the Damu Fund. The Damu Fund allocates money through Arnur Credit at a preferential rate of 16% as part of the program to support small and medium-sized businesses.

Arnur Credit acquired the “Collection” program for accounting of problem microcredits. This helped us to establish a transparent online accounting of problem microcredits, to maintain constant control over the implementation of measures to collect problem debts, including written off microcredits.

Our employees participated Risk Challenge MICRO-2017 annual conference for financial market professionals, which was held under the slogan “Digital Kazakhstan. Microfinance” organized by First Credit Bureau LLP, Almaty. The sessions in two directions "MFO" and "Fintech" highlighted the main challenges in financing, innovation and technology, new marketing and business opportunities for the market, as well as new tools to minimize microcredit risks.

The EBRD's Regional Small Business Program in Central Asia has undertaken an extensive study to identify training and know-how needs for financial institutions. As MFO Arnur Credit LLP, we took an active part in this project. The project allowed us to share information and know-how with target audiences, offers relevant materials in the field of financing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and provided online training opportunities.

Our chairman of the board Raushan N. Kurbanalieva participated in the VII Congress of Kazakhstan financiers on November 15, 2017 in Almaty. Traditionally, representatives of all segments of the country's financial market – banks, insurance, investment, and brokerage companies – attended the congress at a high level. The main topic of the congress was macro-economic policy and further ways of developing the financial sector. The organizers of the Congress were the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan together with the Association of Financiers of Kazakhstan and the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange.

We received the Smart Campaign Certificate confirming our commitment to the Smart Campaign Client Protection Principles (CPP) in October 2016. The Certificate is valid for four years. Certified institutions must undergo an interim audit after two years from the date of receipt. Audit in October 2018 approved that we continue to fully comply with the Smart Campaign Client Protection Principles (CPP). Thus, the certificate is extended until October 2020.

We launched an educational program, namely "Syrlasu", within the framework of the EBRD "Women in Business" program. The goal of the Syrlasu program is to support women entrepreneurs of Turkestan Region in their personal growth and improvement of business qualities. The program has reached more than a hundred participants in the regions of Aksu, Saryagash, Yassy and Shymkent with six topics that are relevant for entrepreneurs.

In connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, Smart Campaign extended the certificate of Arnur Credit LLP, confirming the company's commitment to the Principles of Client Protection, until March 2021.

More than 200 women entrepreneurs completed their training under the Syrlasu program, gaining solid knowledge in financial management, taxation, legal aspects of entrepreneurship, as well as developing flexible skills necessary for an entrepreneur – managing emotions and believing in their success.