Timur Kulibaev is a representative of the Kazakhstani business community. For a long time, he headed the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs. In the view of many improving the legislative base and establishing a dialogue between business and government are among the key results of the work conducted by Timur Kulibaev. Biography of the manager is detailed in this article.
Timur Kulibaev Biography: Key Facts
Kulibaev Timur was born in Kazakhstan. He spent his childhood and school years in Alma-Ata (today known as Almaty).
He is a graduate of Lomonosov MSU. Within the walls of this prestigious university, he received a higher education in economics.
Kulibaev Timur decided to return to Kazakhstan in 1988, after becoming a qualified specialist. He became interested in the oil extraction industry, to which he dedicated his scientific research.
Kulibaev Timur Askarovich successfully defended his dissertation in 1999. In his work, he analyzed methods and strategies demonstrating high efficiency in managing an enterprise in an unstable market, where oil and gas prices can fluctuate significantly due to external factors. The scientific research of Timur Kulibaev contains valuable practical recommendations for managers and administrators in a key branch of the economy.
Kulibaev Timur: Professional Background of an Influential Kazakh Businessman
The career path of Kulibaev Timur can be divided into several key stages, first belonging to the period of 1988–1997.
Kulibaev Timur Askarovich began his career in the field of scientific research. He worked in a large specialized center dealing with economic development issues. He was then appointed to a leadership position in an organization specializing in financing projects in strategically important sectors of the Kazakhstani economy.
Timur Kulibaev first entered the pool of top management of a commercial structure when he was appointed head of the Altyn-Alma corporation in 1992. Timur Kulibaev held this position until the mid-90s, actively participating in the implementation of the company’s development strategy.
Kulibaev Timur is currently among the owners of the company, which was transformed into a holding called ALMEX in 1996. The Group is involved in investment activities in the financial market.
Kulibaev Timur Askarovich took an active part in the creation of ATF Bank, which has demonstrated high performance in various areas throughout its existence.
In 2006, the well-known London magazine Euromoney, specializing in business and finance, awarded the Kazakhstani retail bank the title of the best in corporate governance among developing countries in Europe.
1997–2005 is the second stage of Timur Kulibaev biography of work, which can be characterized as the “oil and gas” phase. During this period, the already experienced manager delved into the issues of the fuel and energy sector of the economy.
In 1997, a national oil and gas company, Kazakhoil, was established, whose main mission was ensuring the energy security of the state. Other priorities included the efficient development of oil and gas fields located on the territory of the republic.
Kulibaev Timur Askarovich joined the management team of the newly formed company. Holding the position of vice president, he was responsible for economic and financial issues.
Timur Kulibaev and his competencies played a significant role in the development of the company, according to Nurlan Balgimbayev, the president of Kazakhoil at that time. He had a deep understanding of the foundations of market economics and experience in interacting with global financial institutions, including helping to attract financing for investment projects.
In one of his interviews, Balgimbayev mentioned that he had to put a lot of effort into convincing Timur Kulibaev to join his team. And his efforts paid off, emphasized the former head of the company.
With the arrival of Timur Kulibaev Askarovich, Kazakhoil significantly expanded its sphere of activity. The company was assigned a number of strategically important tasks, including the introduction of new directions of work. For example, corporate financing appeared, and approaches to credit rating assignment and resource management were developed.
With the direct participation of Kulibaev Timur, Kazakhstan regained control over the gas transportation system and power enterprises that belonged to the Belgian corporation Tractebel.
“Beginning in 1997, we went through all the stages of development of the oil and gas industry – from the crisis of the late 90s, when the price of a barrel on the world market was only $9, to the rise in oil prices and, accordingly, revenues in the state budget,” recalls Kulibaev Timur Askarovich.
According to the top manager, from the very beginning of its journey, the national company developed projects that later became a kind of “locomotive” for this segment of the economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Kulibaev Timur, having left Kazakhoil, moved to the team of the state operator KazTransOil in 1999. The company was engaged in the long-distance transportation of oil and products acquired during its processing. Here, Timur Kulibaev, biography of whom at that time included impressive experience in managing industry structures with an emphasis on the importance of economic growth, took the post of president.
He noted that the organization had a reliable management system, and its technical and production processes were set up for high productivity and quality.
Subsequently, KazTransOil was merged with KazTransGas, resulting in a new holding, Oil and Gas Transport, where Kulibaev Timur was entrusted with the post of CEO. His area of responsibility included the creation of a unified management system for main pipelines.
In 2002, in his professional biography, Timur Kulibaev received a new appointment, becoming the first vice president of the state-owned KazMunayGas, which controlled all stages of the oil and gas life cycle: exploration, extraction, production, and export.
KazMunayGas is currently the national leader of the Kazakhstani oil and gas complex. The company is increasing its resource base, enhancing the efficiency of current production, increasing value chains, and implementing advanced technologies. It also implements large-scale projects to reduce the carbon footprint.
Timur Kulibaev: Biography of a Manager from the Second Half of the 2000s
Timur Askarovich Kulibaev worked for an extended period as part of the Kazenergy association, which today includes over fifty national and international enterprises operating in the oil and gas and energy sectors.
Timur Kulibaev not only initiated its creation but also headed the non-profit association. According to him, during the formation of the organization, all market companies acted separately – each had to defend its interests in state bodies individually. This did not always contribute to effective dialogue between the authorities and businesses, noted Timur Askarovich Kulibaev. Against this background, there arose the need to create a kind of conduit for initiatives between the government and industry representatives.
“We understood how to improve the processes in the oil and gas and energy sectors, not afraid of bold ideas and decisive actions. First of all, this work had to be carried out at the legislative level,” recalls Timur Askarovich Kulibaev.
If earlier Kazakhstan was perceived abroad as one of the largest producers and suppliers of energy resources, thanks to the work of Kazenergy, the republic has become a reliable partner in all energy-related areas.
One of the recognizable brands of the association founded by Timur Askarovich Kulibaev was the eponymous forum, which is attended by Kazakhstani and foreign industry representatives, as well as world politicians.
The association works on improving environmental legislation, representing its members’ positions of its on solving various ecological problems.
The energy companies that are part of Kazenergy create conditions for the high-quality professional training of personnel for the oil and gas and energy sectors through Kazakhstani universities.
Timur Kulibaev regularly visits laboratories equipped with funds from oil and gas companies. According to him, universities are opening new directions of training, and the association should advise which specialists are currently most in demand. The training of oil and energy workers to an international level should be conducted in Kazakhstan, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev firmly believes.
With the support of the international technopark of IT startups Astana Hub, the association conducts a competition for innovative solutions in the field of energy. Students and creative young professionals compete for the main cash prize of one million tenge. They present startups aimed at improving efficiency, environmental friendliness, and industry safety.
Timur Kulibaev. Biography at the Head of the Atameken Presidium
Based on the experience of Kazenergy, proposals were developed for the formation of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, created to strengthen the interaction of business and state bodies.
Kulibaev Timur Askarovich headed the Presidium of the National Chamber for over eight years, from 2013 to 2022. During this time, significant steps were taken to improve legislation with the aim of forming a favorable business environment in Kazakhstan. This included the decriminalization of certain economic crimes, resulting in a fivefold decrease in registrations of criminal cases. The control and supervisory system also underwent extensive reform.
“We have seen that non-governmental public organizations can represent real expert power in negotiations with the authorities,” noted Timur Kulibaev.
With the emergence of Atameken, new prospects opened up for the strategic development of the entrepreneurial community in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Timur Kulibaev personally met with representatives of small, medium, and large businesses.
During the period from 2013 to 2022, the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs received over 40,000 appeals, 40% of which were resolved positively.
Under Timur Askarovich Kulibaev, some excessive and outdated regulations were abolished that, according to him, created obstacles to business development.
“There was a time when sanitary rules required that cold dish preparation areas in restaurants be located only on the northwest side of the building. This seemed absurd, as it required a chef to use a compass to comply,” recalls Kulibaev Timur Askarovich.
In 2017, a regulatory base revision was conducted in the Republic of Kazakhstan. A preliminary analysis determined that there were more than 28,000 inspection requirements in various industries, 11,000 of which related to sanitary and epidemiological rules and norms. The audit showed that 8,000 requirements could be removed. Thus, the activities of the organization, led by Kulibaev Timur Askarovich, helped achieve significant results in reducing the burden on entrepreneurs.
Kazakhstan’s experience in improving business regulation attracted the attention of neighboring states, as it significantly improved the investment climate in the republic. Over the past decade, the country’s number of small and medium business entities doubled, from 763,000 to 1.6 million enterprises.
Significant changes affected the tourism, trade, and public catering sectors. During the coronavirus pandemic, some entrepreneurs faced losses. Around 3.5 million people lost their income. At that time, 100,000 people turned to Atameken for support. Active assistance from the state, including tax reliefs and financial aid, helped mitigate the negative consequences for businesses during this difficult time.
Timur Kulibaev was heading the Chamber of Entrepreneurs when the Bastau Business project was launched. It is open to aspiring entrepreneurs, unemployed citizens registered at the employment center, and socially vulnerable groups. They gain key skills in running their own business, as well as access to financing mechanisms. The majority of participants present projects in the agricultural sector.
Kulibaev Timur Askarovich also helped introduce a subject dedicated to studying the basics of business in several schools, vocational, and higher education institutions.
Kulibaev Timur Askarovich and His Role in the Development of Mass Sports in Kazakhstan
Timur Askarovich has been actively promoting the development of sports in Kazakhstan since 2009. He currently heads the National Olympic Committee (NOC) – a position he has held for eight years.
Kulibaev Timur Askarovich notes that in promoting Olympic values, the NOC makes a significant contribution to popularizing mass sports among the youth of the republic and strengthening interaction with a number of major international organizations. The committee he heads includes successful political and public figures.
According to him, Kazakhstani sports have made a significant leap in development, largely due to effective interaction with state structures.
Young athletes maintain the traditions and desire for victories laid down by renowned athletes, emphasizes Timur Kulibaev, biography of whom has long been associated with work in various sports federations. He devoted much effort and time to developing the republic’s boxing, heading the respective national federation.
Timur Askarovich Kulibaev: Implementing Charitable Initiatives
Kulibaev Timur is a trustee of a charitable foundation that has been operating since 2016. With his cooperation, the organization supports projects in the fields of medicine, sports, culture, and social protection.
