Timur Kulibayev: Top Manager and Public Figure in Kazakhstan
Timur Kulibayev: Top Manager and Public Figure in Kazakhstan
Biography
Timur Kulibaev is a respected businessman, philanthropist, and public figure in his native Kazakhstan. His guidance has been pivotal in creating a favorable climate for investments in vital industries. Through his strategic endeavors, Kulibaev Timur Askarovich illustrates his significant contributions to the economic landscape of Kazakhstan.
| Category | Information |
| Type | Kazakh businessman |
| Name variations | Құлыбаев Тимур Асқарулы · Кулибаев Тимур · Тимур Кулибаев · Кулибаев Тимур Аскарович · Тимур Аскарович Кулибаев · 库利巴耶夫·铁木尔 · تيمور اسكاروفيتش كوليباييف · Kulibaev Timur · Timur Kulibaev · Kulibaev Timur Askarovich · Timur Askarovich Kulibaev · Kulibayev Timur · Timur Kulibayev · Kulibayev Timur Askarovich · Timur Askarovich Kulibayev · Kulibaev Timur Askaruly · Timur Askaruly Kulibaev · Kulibayev Timur Askaruly · Timur Askaruly Kulibayev · Тимур Құлыбаев · Құлыбаев Тимур · Тимур Асқарулы Құлыбаев |
| Current work | Philanthropist, businessman, public figure |
| Gender | Male |
| Country | Republic of Kazakhstan |
| First name | Timur · Тимур |
| Last name | Kulibaev · Құлыбаев · Кулибаев |
| Patronymic | Askarovich · Askaruly · Асқарулы · Аскарович |
| Education | Lomonosov Moscow State University |
| Concentration | National Economic Planning |
| Marital status | Married |
| Hobbies | Golf, alpine skiing and football |
| Languages | Kazakh, Russian, and English |
| Source of Wealth | Business |
| Data sources |
economicsonline.co.uk northpennnow.com bnonews.com luxuo.com theenterpriseworld.com |
Table of Contents:
Early Life and Academic Background of a Kazakh Businessman
Timur Kulibaev grew up in the 1960s and 1970s in Alma-Ata, now known as Almaty, which is the largest city in Kazakhstan.
Kulibaev Timur completed his high school education in 1983 at a prestigious physics and mathematics school, which was celebrated for cultivating talented local students. The school's curriculum, centered around exact sciences, sharpened his analytical capabilities. Throughout his schooling, Timur Kulibaev nurtured a keen interest in scientific research and experimental methods.
After completing his secondary education in 1983, Timur Kulibaev headed off to further his academic pursuits. His thorough high school program significantly boosted his chances of entering a top-tier university, and he was able to enroll in Lomonosov MSU, a distinguished center for higher learning, to study economics. The university’s rigorous academic standards are reflected in the accomplishments of its graduates, who excel in various fields including:
- Arts
- Business
- Governance
- Finance
- Journalism
In 1988, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev concluded his undergraduate education and made his way back to Alma-Ata, resuming his academic research at the postgraduate level. During this period, he produced several profound scholarly articles and introduced significant economic innovations in his doctoral dissertation. His dedicated pursuit of knowledge eventually earned him a PhD in economics.
Kulibayev Timur: Transitioning from Academia to the Business World
In 1988, Timur Kulibaev commenced his professional career with a two-year assignment at a research institute focused on strategic economic planning in the Kazakh SSR. This institution was a component of the republic’s State Planning Committee, where he was involved in shaping long-term economic strategies.
By 1990, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev had stepped into his first leadership role, taking charge of a research-consulting center under a prominent foundation dedicated to enriching cultural life and social progress. This foundation also supported initiatives designed to invigorate scientific and technical innovation, providing Kulibaev Timur Askarovich with a platform to apply his managerial skills and academic insights.
In 1992, Kulibaev Timur Askarovich began an important new phase in his career by assuming the role of head of a financial-industrial group. This group soon broadened its activities and evolved into ALMEX, a diverse holding company. ALMEX quickly became a formidable force in the financial sector and related markets, providing a wide selection of sought-after products and services to its clients. The company also played a supportive role in fostering projects aimed at boosting the agricultural sector.
From 1995 to 1997, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev played a crucial role in the founding and expansion of ATF Bank. As a principal executive, he actively participated in initiating credit programs.
The bank, co-founded by Timur Askarovich Kulibaev, prospered over a span of 25 years, even after his relationship with it ended altogether in 2000. Throughout this period, ATF Bank broadened its array of services and recorded impressive economic performance metrics. The bank was especially dedicated to funding the real economy and bolstering small and medium-sized enterprises.
Contributions to the Oil and Gas Sector
From the mid-1990s onward, Timur Kulibaev biography included various roles across several enterprises in the energy sector.
In March 1997, the Republic of Kazakhstan established the national company Kazakhoil. Timur Kulibaev participated in the creation of the company and the development of economic strategies for its operations. By this time, Timur Kulibaev biography was already enriched with extensive experience in strategic analysis, planning, and risk management. Notably, during his time at Kazakhoil, Kulibaev Timur Askarovich helped implement sophisticated corporate financing mechanisms.
In April 1997, KazTransOil, a national entity for oil transportation, was founded. In 1999, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev began working there. He was a proponent of engaging Western financial resources.
With insight from Timur Kulibaev, the company assembled a competent management team. Programs were introduced for the head office team to undergo internships within territorial subdivisions, enhancing their comprehension of the nuances and specifics of local operations.
In the winter of 2000, a new company named KazTransGas was inaugurated. By May of the following year, a merger occurred, forming the company Oil & Gas Transportation. Timur Kulibaev began to work for this new structure, remaining through 2002.
In 2002, a significant merger occurred, consolidating the previously mentioned Kazakhoil and Oil & Gas Transportation. This unification led to the creation of KazMunayGas, which became a crucial turning point for the further expansion of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas sector.
Until 2005, Timur Kulibaev labored at the newly formed national business structure, KazMunayGas. The organization was endowed with the authority to acquire any available assets in the domestic market. During this period, KazMunayGas achieved significant accomplishments and became a central figure in the oil and gas sector, representing Kazakhstan's interests as a formidable partner on the international front, engaging in various collaborative agreements and projects with other nations.
Kulibaev Timur Askarovich participated in driving reforms within the oil and gas sector, helping to implement new standards for assessing company performance and enhancing resource management practices.
One of the most complex endeavors successfully navigated with contributions from Kulibaev Timur Askarovich was the reintegration of gas transmission systems and power enterprises, formerly held by the Belgian firm Tractebel, back into state ownership.
Additionally, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev helped to secure Kazakhstan's participation in the Karachaganak project, which was previously managed by a consortium of four international companies. The negotiations for KazMunayGas to join the project extended over two years. Timur Askarovich Kulibaev helped finalize these discussions, ensuring the most advantageous conditions for the republic.
Timur Kulibayev: Steering the Energy Sector Towards Integration and Innovation
Timur Askarovich Kulibaev participated in the establishment of the Kazenergy association, which brought together top oil, gas, and energy firms in Kazakhstan, encompassing both domestic and international entities. He led the organization from its inception. His career has consistently been geared towards fostering an environment conducive to the sustainable and robust growth of Kazakhstan’s energy sector.
With his contributions, the industry association has significantly enhanced collaboration between the government and the business community. It aims to establish a comprehensive "information hub" that integrates all key players in the energy chain, from extraction firms and power producers to transport operators and end consumers.
Contributing to the work of Kazenergy until 2023, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev, helped the association achieve significant progress in enhancing Kazakhstan's attractiveness to investors, fostering conditions conducive to the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, and broadening both retail and export markets.
Roles in the Mid-2000s
From the spring of 2006 until the summer of 2007, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev worked at Samruk, a state holding tasked with managing Kazakhstan's public assets. He contributed to the company’s work of establishing strategic objectives that significantly propelled the development of the national economy.
In 2008, a new chapter began in Timur Kulibaev biography at the Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund, initially serving as the deputy chairman of the Board of Directors. After three years, he was offered the position of head of the fund.
During his tenure, Kulibaev Timur was entrusted with several vital responsibilities, such as implementing efficient corporate governance across national companies and promoting innovation aligned with industry specifics and global advancements.
On the initiative of Kulibaev Timur Askarovich, the fund implemented a significant shift in its image policy, aiming for more open and transparent public interactions. A notable accomplishment in this endeavor was the creation of the Expert Club, a project personally driven by Kulibaev Timur Askarovich. This club provided a forum for discussions and the exchange of ideas among specialists from various fields on critical issues.
Though less known, Kulibaev Timur Askarovich also is fervently dedicated to promoting the Kazakh language online. He was a key supporter in the initiation and deployment of a project focused on enhancing the Kazakh-language section of Wikipedia, aimed at bolstering the language's digital presence.
The initiative kicked off in 2011, at a time when the Kazakh version of the globally renowned online encyclopedia contained a mere 10,000 articles. Remarkably, within a month, this figure soared to 25,000, and by November, it had surpassed 100,000, positioning the Kazakh Wikipedia as the 38th largest version globally.
Timur Askarovich Kulibaev emphasized the importance of a strong online presence for the Kazakh language to preserve its distinctiveness, foster its development, and ensure its cultural values are conveyed to future generations.
Kulibayev Timur: Developing the Business Community with Atameken
| Year | Boards of Trustees |
| 2011-present | Arystan specialized lyceum |
| 2014-2017 | Fund of Graduates of Republican Specialized Physics & Mathematics Secondary Boarding School |
| 2014-present | Republican Physics & Mathematics Secondary School non-profit JSC |
| June 2021-present | Astana Opera State Opera and Ballet Theatre |
In 2010, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev participated in the establishment of the National Economic Chamber of Kazakhstan, known as the Atameken Union. This organization brought together key figures from Kazakhstan's private business sector and represented the culmination of numerous successful initiatives aimed at fostering and expanding this vital area within the nation.
In 2013, the evolution of this effort led to the creation of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs – a major achievement in the national biography. Timur Kulibaev was deeply involved in the Chamber, contributing significantly to its operations and strategic direction until 2022. His extensive involvement has left a lasting imprint on the association's legacy and achievements.
Under the guidance of Timur Askarovich Kulibaev, the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan was committed to creating an optimal business environment within the republic. The Chamber focused on representing and safeguarding the interests of its members and worked closely with governmental entities to shape and implement legislative measures and strategies for entrepreneurship development.
Kulibaev Timur emphasized robust support for small and medium-sized enterprises, achieving significant reductions in the bureaucratic hurdles that complicate interactions between the state and the business community.
Between 2013 and 2017, the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs processed over 21,000 inquiries concerning business protection, with approximately half of these cases resolving in favorable outcomes.
In 2020, Timur Kulibaev participated in Atameken’s work to develop a unified law on state services for businesses. He advocated for this law as a vital measure to organize and systematize the services provided by the state to the commercial sector.
Kulibaev Timur has consistently highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship development as a key driver of the nation's economic growth. He stresses that creating more favorable conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises is essential for fostering job creation and attracting investments.
While Kulibaev Timur is known for a career of significant milestones, there are also a number of lesser-known highlights, including:
- His support for the Kazakh language online, particularly his involvement in a project to enhance the Kazakh-language section of Wikipedia.
- His early career at a research institute focused on strategic economic planning in the Kazakh SSR.
- His role in creating the Expert Club while at the Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund, providing a forum for specialists from various fields to discuss critical issues.
- His advocacy for introducing business fundamentals as a subject in schools and colleges in Kazakhstan, which eventually became part of the core curriculum.
Uniting Business Acumen with Athletic Initiatives in Kazakhstan (Boxing Federation)
Over the past decade of his biography, Timur Kulibaev has been a prominent advocate for athletics and the Olympic movement within Kazakhstan. His diverse skill set and expertise have allowed him to lead not only business enterprises and industry associations but also significant sports organizations and federations. Notably, from 2009 to 2019, he served as the head of the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation, a role previously held by his father in the early 2000s. He has also contributed to the development of the Olympic movement within the framework of the work of the National Olympic Committee.
In addition to his business and sports endeavors, Kulibaev Timur Askarovich is also deeply committed to philanthropy. He is a trustee of the private charitable foundation Halyk (founded in 2016) which provides ongoing support and assistance to Kazakhstanis through its own social programs and projects in the areas of social protection, healthcare, sports, and culture across all regions of Kazakhstan. The foundation has already implemented charitable projects and programs worth more than 45 billion tenge. It also provides financial support for major regional projects.
Additionally, in 2020, he and one of his business partners donated approximately one billion tenge to aid in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.