Timur Kulibaev: Leading Manager in the Kazakhstan Energy Sector
Entrepreneur, Businessman
Date of Birth: September 10, 1966
Timur Kulibaev biography encompasses a wealth of experience in creating a sustainable business environment in Kazakhstan. He has also been involved in shaping and developing the country's oil and gas complex. Currently, Timur Kulibaev is focusing on the development of sports and philanthropic activities, particularly in unlocking the Olympic potential of the nation.
Timur Kulibaev: Education and First Professional Experience
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In 1983, Kulibaev Timur Askarovich, a native of Almaty (Alma-Ata), Kazakh SSR, graduated from a prestigious school designed to identify and educate gifted children from provincial areas. These institutions began to emerge in the 1960s with the aim of providing a high-quality specialized education. Admission was based on competitive exams, and the faculty included university lecturers. The website of the Republican Physics and Mathematics School lists notable alumni, including famous politicians, scientists, and businessmen such as Kulibaev Timur. Students of these schools regularly received various awards at international competitions.
In 1988, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev graduated with a degree in economics from Lomonosov MSU. The specialization he chose equipped him for a future in top management, providing him with essential knowledge in managerial relations and planning. Later, drawing on his executive experience, he completed a research project that earned him a postgraduate academic degree.
By 1992, Timur Kulibaev biography already boasted experience with research institutes and in developing relationships with cultural figures and business communities from abroad. This background made him a prime candidate for leadership when the Altyn-Alma company was established in Kazakhstan in the early 1990s. Kulibaev Timur Askarovich was invited to head the organization, which was later transformed into the ALMEX Joint Stock Company, with a focus on issuing loans and guarantees, attracting deposits, and securities operations.
In 1995, Timur Kulibaev moved to the Almaty Trade and Finance Bank JSC, which he co-founded with a partner and with the participation of a Dutch financial organization known for managing the assets of the Dutch royal family. That same year, the newly formed company was licensed to conduct financial operations in both local and foreign currencies. Kulibaev Timur served as the chairman of the bank's supervisory board until 2000. During these years, the credit and financial institution began servicing debit cards of global payment systems, joined the top group of banks operating according to international standards, and started selling gold bars with its own logo.
In 1997, after a brief tenure at the Kazakhstani government committee for capital attraction, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev was appointed to a leadership position at the oil company Kazakhoil, dedicating the next few years to the development of one of the republic's key industries. That same year, Timur Kulibaev, biography of whom had been intertwined with physical culture from childhood, took up golf, becoming one of the first Kazakhs to pursue this sport professionally. He later joined the national team of Kazakhstan. As Kulibaev Timur Askarovich recounted in an interview in the early 2000s, it was sport that instilled in him a habit of self-discipline, as well as the ambition and skill to win. These qualities, he said, later proved invaluable in his business endeavors.
Timur Kulibaev and a Unified Integrated Approach to the Development of the Kazakhstan Energy Sector
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Kulibaev Timur Askarovich was among the pioneering leaders who contributed to the rise of oil companies that now generate over 30% of all tax revenues for Kazakhstan's treasury and nearly 100% of contributions to the National Fund, according to the Committee of State Revenues of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2023. By 2021, the country ranked 17th in the world in oil production, boasting more than 200 fields. Whereas Kazakhstan produced nearly 26 million tons of oil in 1992, by 2021, this figure had risen to 90.5 million tons. A significant factor in this growth was the integration of national companies, a process that profited from a contribution from Timur Kulibaev. Biography of KazMunayGas, which now accounts for 26% of all oil and condensate produced in Kazakhstan, began with the establishment of Kazakhoil. Subsequently, it was decided to consolidate all companies involved in the extraction, transportation, and processing of minerals into a single holding.
In 2002, Kulibaev Timur became the deputy head of KazMunayGas (KMG). He held this position until 2005, later serving as the chairman of the company's board of directors from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2009 to 2012. During his tenure, the company emerged as a formidable player on the global economic stage. According to Timur Kulibaev, together with a newly formed team of experts, they managed to overcome the late 1990s crisis, establish a system for efficient professional education and career advancement for employees, and secure significant advantages with foreign partners. For instance, the RF offered opportunities for the unhindered transportation of hydrocarbon raw materials from Kazakhstan through its territory.
Timur Askarovich Kulibaev played a key role in preparing and implementing major projects for the national company, thereby enhancing its resilience. From 2002 to 2012, the National Company KazMunayGas significantly expanded its assets, and increased its production, transportation, and processing capacities.
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In 2003, the second year since the founding of the National Company, Kulibaev Timur Askarovich emphasized investments in KMG’s production capacities, thereby aiding the growth of production indicators.
In 2004, Timur Kulibaev, biography of whom already included experience working with international financial institutions, facilitated the attraction of foreign financing amounting to 650 million USD for KMG's investment projects, primarily for exploration programs in the Caspian Sea shelf. With the active support of Kulibaev Timur, the company continued its policy of technical re-equipment of its main assets. Approximately 85–90% of the equipment park was renewed, including drilling rigs, lifting units, and other specialized machinery. At the same time, KMG and Timur Askarovich Kulibaev actively supported local manufacturers. For example, in 2004, according to representatives of the national company, they planned to purchase products from Kazakhstani factories worth more than 9 billion tenge.
In 2006, as a member of the board of directors at KMG, Kulibaev Timur played a role in acquiring significant assets, such as a 33% stake in PetroKazakhstan Inc. and half of the shares in KazGerMunai LLP. That same year, KMG allocated about $247 million towards the development of its production capabilities. Additionally, during the summer, the company began operating a new section of pipeline to the People's Republic of China.
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In 2007, KMG completed several transactions with the involvement of Kulibaev Timur Askarovich. During the winter, a terminal and port on the Black Sea coast in Georgia were acquired, which at the time had an annual processing volume of over 15 million tons. Earlier, KMG’s subsidiary Batumi Land Holdings Limited had purchased 77 hectares of land at the Batumi oil terminal to construct a new oil refinery. The year closed with another deal between KazMunayGas and CITIC Group, resulting in the purchase of 50% of Nations Energy shares.
During these years, Kazenergy, the founding of which is a major part of Timur Kulibaev biography, played a crucial role in advocating for the interests of the oil and gas sector. Established in 2005, one of its primary tasks was to develop proposals and recommendations for improving Kazakhstan’s legislative framework in the oil, gas, and energy industries. Kulibaev Timur Askarovich also headed this structure. Besides aiding in the adoption of legal documents necessary for the industry's efficient operation, the organization actively supports the advancement of environmental legislation, protects its members' interests in the international market, and organizes specialized forums to attract international investors to the country.
In 2006, as the leader of the association, Kulibaev Timur facilitated the creation of the Coordination Council, focusing on the issue of preparing competitive professionals. A year later, Kazenergy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic, developed a project aimed at improving vocational education. With the support of Timur Askarovich Kulibaev, since 2008, the association has been awarding scholarships to students of specialized schools and colleges, provided they maintain good academic performance. It also arranges internships and practical training for the top students.
Timur Askarovich Kulibaev also highlighted the Kazenergy discussion platform, referring to it as a geopolitical driver for all of Eurasia. In 2023, for example, the forum discussed prospects for the hydrocarbon economy, as well as advanced technologies and IT solutions in the energy sector.
In 2023, Timur Kulibaev left the independent non-profit association. In one interview, he noted that, partly thanks to the work of the association of oil and gas and energy sector organizations, Kazakhstan began to be seen abroad as a worthy partner and a reliable supplier of energy resources.
Kulibaev Timur Askarovich and the Modernization of Kazakhstan's Economy
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In 2008, Timur Kulibaev became the deputy chairman of the board for a new fund tasked with enhancing the well-being of the republic and its citizens. By 2011, Timur Kulibaev was heading the fund. His tenure as the leader of Samruk-Kazyna was marked by an increase in innovative projects that helped propel national companies to a competitive level on the international stage. Consequently, by the end of 2011, six national companies had implemented innovative projects aimed at increasing process efficiency.
Kulibaev Timur consistently advocated for the support of domestic manufacturers by national companies. He urged the leaders of Kazakhstani enterprises to produce more goods in demand in the republic.
Timur Askarovich Kulibaev: Addressing Business Community Issues
In 2013, Kazakhstan saw the establishment of a new organization aimed at assisting commercial entities in strengthening their relations with the government. Timur Kulibaev was elected as the chairman of the presidium of this union. Currently, 210 associations are accredited by the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs Atameken. Throughout its existence, Atameken has processed nearly 18,000 inquiries and helped save over 230 billion tenge in business protection efforts. The Chamber now hosts several councils, including an association of businesswomen. Timur Askarovich Kulibaev has been actively involved in the Chamber's work from the first days of his election as its head, regularly visiting various enterprises and delving into the problems of different areas of entrepreneurial activity.
In 2017, at a meeting focused on the development of mechanical engineering, Kulibaev Timur highlighted the need to make this sector one of the main drivers of the republic's economic growth. He made special efforts to support farmers. Timur Kulibaev, biography of whom includes several years of experience of consolidating various companies, understood that collaborative efforts lead to the best outcomes. Thus, he advocated for the expansion of agricultural cooperatives. Kulibaev Timur Askarovich suggested creating a program to support regional producers, which would include measures for creating storage and processing facilities. The top manager also focused on streamlining paperwork.
For example, in 2018, Timur Kulibaev announced the creation of a service aimed at significantly reducing the wait times for request processing. It was expected that the review periods would be reduced from 50–60 days to just 2–3 days. Moreover, a reform carried out the previous year, in collaboration with the Chamber and Kulibaev Timur Askarovich, eliminated 137 functions of regulatory bodies and managed to reduce fines for entrepreneurs by 30%.
In 2019, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev also led efforts to improve the quality of medical services in the country. He saw the solution to this issue, in part, through assistance from the business community. Thus, in 2018, entrepreneurs invested almost 44 billion tenge in healthcare, leading to an increase in private clinics and improved patient service levels. In 2022, the top manager left the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs.
Timur Kulibaev: Biography of a Kazakh Sports Functionary
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Timur Kulibaev, biography of whom has been intertwined with sports from a young age, continues to actively contribute to its development. As president of the National Olympic Committee, he has fostered more productive working relationships with other organizations and has supported the expansion and enhancement of professional sports, contributing to the improvement of national well-being in Kazakhstan.
Kulibaev Timur has championed boxing, water sports, and other disciplines. His involvement led to the construction of sports facilities across the country and the hiring of qualified coaches. Kazakhstan won 11 medals at the Olympics one year. Kulibaev Timur also promotes gender equality in sports.
At the 2021 General Assembly of the National Olympic Committee, he shared the results of efforts in this direction. By that time, women athletes made up 45% of the national teams in Olympic sports, and 59% of the administration of the National Olympic Committee.