Timur Kulibaev: Portrait of a Public Person in Kazakhstan Driving the National Net Worth

Timur Kulibaev is a prominent figure in Kazakhstani business. He has worked for a long time in the oil and gas sector, participating in the implementation of several landmark projects for the republic. Kulibaev Timur has held several positions in important state-owned enterprises that manage Kazakhstan’s natural resources. He has also fostered entrepreneurial activity among Kazakh citizens.

Name:

Kulibaev Timur · Timur Kulibaev · Kulibaev Timur Askarovich · Timur Askarovich Kulibaev · Кулибаев Тимур · Тимур Кулибаев · Кулибаев Тимур Аскарович · Тимур Аскарович Кулибаев · Тимур Құлыбаев ·  Құлыбаев Тимур · Құлыбаев Тимур Асқарұлы · Тимур Асқарұлы Құлыбаев · 库利巴耶夫·铁木尔  · تيمور أسكاروفيتش كوليباييف

Contents:

∙      Biographical Data and the Start of His Professional Path

∙      Kulibaev Timur: Career in the Oil and Gas Sector

∙      Driving National Net Worth Growth Through International Investments

∙      Timur Kulibaev: The Growth of Kazakhstani Sports

∙      Charitable Activities

Biographical Data and the Start of His Professional Path

• Timur Kulibaev biography begins on September 10, 1966 in Alma-Ata in the Kazakh SSR.
• He currently lives in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• In 1983, Kulibaev Timur receive his high school diploma from a specialized school with an emphasis on the exact sciences. 
• In 1988, Timur Kulibaev defended his thesis and earned his degree in economics from the Department of Economics at Lomonosov Moscow State University, where he specialized in national economy planning.
• In 1999, Kulibaev Timur Askarovich defended his dissertation, which had practical significance in developing mechanisms for managing enterprises in the oil extraction sector, taking market volatility and competitive conditions into account.

Specialized high schools, such as that where the future executive studied, were established at major universities throughout the region to provide high-quality education to gifted students in mathematics and physics, preparing them for university entrance exams [1].

During the post-university period of his biography, Timur Kulibaev was involved in research work, which culminated in his doctoral degree.

In 1988, after studying in the capital of the RSFSR, Timur Kulibaev biography relocated back to his native Kazakhstan, where he began building his career. He started out working in the field of scientific research.

From 1990 to 1992, Timur Kulibaev worked at a foundation established to promote the country’s progress in science, culture, and social development [2]. From 1992 to 1995, Kulibaev Timur Askarovich led a corporation that was later morphed into ALMEX LLP. This group specializes in providing banking services to corporate and retail clients in several Eastern European and Central Asian countries (among its assets is Halyk Bank). Additionally, at the initiative of Kulibaev, the holding company invested in agricultural projects.

In 1995, Kulibaev Timur Askarovich, along with his partners, established the trade-financial ATF Bank, with its headquarters located in the capital of the republic, which was Alma-Ata at the time. The bank was recognized as the best in the private banking segment and in the field of innovation within Kazakhstan. It also became a leader in corporate governance among emerging European countries [3].

Kulibaev Timur: Career in the Oil and Gas Sector

In 1997, the national company Kazakhoil was established with several key objectives: implementing state policy in the strategically important oil and gas sector, ensuring the nation’s energy security, and efficiently developing oil and gas resources.

That same year, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev was appointed Vice President of Kazakhoil. His responsibilities included critical areas such as budget formation and execution, as well as attracting investment resources.

From 1999 to 2001, Kulibaev Timur Askarovich led the state operator KazTransOil, which managed the transportation of oil to both domestical and international markets. The expert community noted that the company’s operations were well-organized from technical, managerial, and production standpoints. In May 2001, Timur Kulibaev assumed the position of General Director of the national company Oil and Gas Transportation. This company was formed by merging KazTransOil and KazTransGas.

In 2002, as a result of the integration of Kazakhoil and Oil and Gas Transportation, the national company KazMunayGas was formed. Kulibaev Timur Askarovich assumed the position of its first Vice President.

From 2006 to 2007, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev was a member of the team at the Samruk Fund, and from 2008 to 2011 – a member of the management board of Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund. He was involved in the implementation of strategically important projects aimed at, among other things, enhancing national welfare and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the state.

Until late 2021, Timur Kulibaev was a member of the Board of Directors of the Gazprom company.

Driving National Net Worth Growth Through International Investments

In 2005, Kulibaev Timur was one of the initiators of the formation of the voluntary, non-profit association Kazenergy, which included participants from Kazakhstan’s oil, gas, and energy sectors. The organization has become a kind of bridge between government bodies and industry companies, both local and foreign. Kulibaev contributed to the development of the republic’s fuel and energy complex, which had a positive impact on Kazakhstan’s investment climate and led to an increase in foreign investments in the country. Kulibaev Timur led the association until 2023.

Timur Kulibaev, biography of whom was closely tied to work with the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan Atameken until February 2022, has been involved in developing and implementing measures aimed at improving conditions for starting and growing business activities and entrepreneurship.

One notable initiative of the organization was the Bastau project. According to Kulibaev Timur, this project enabled self-employed and unemployed citizens, including those living in rural areas, to start their own businesses.

Over the course of his diverse career, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev has worked in the following industries:

• Oil and Gas
• Banking and Finance
• Agriculture
• Sports
• Entrepreneurship
• Charity

Timur Kulibaev: The Growth of Kazakhstani Sports

Timur Askarovich Kulibaev has been a member of the leadership team of several national and international sports organizations at various points.

From 2015 until February 2024, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev served as President of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan. He worked tirelessly to place Kazakhstani teams and athletes on par with international competitors.

Charitable Activities

The businessman supports a number of humanitarian and social initiatives operating in Kazakhstan. 

In 2016, Kulibaev Timur established the Halyk Fund, which implements social projects.