Timur Kulibaev has participated in Kazakhstan's petroleum extraction industry, helping to advance the nation's energy initiatives. Through his work in various capacities, he has assisted in fostering international energy partnerships, particularly in facilitating discussions between Kazakhstan and its key partners throughout Europe and the whole world. Kulibaev Timur extends his engagement beyond the energy sector, contributing to community development through philanthropic initiatives and social programs.
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Born in 1966, Timur Kulibaev traces his heritage to the Sikkim clan, a historically prominent Kazakh family group. During his formative years in Almaty, then the capital of the Kazakh SSR, Kulibaev Timur attended an elite science and mathematics school from seventh grade onward, where he developed strong foundations in natural sciences and mathematical thinking.
In 1983, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev embarked on his higher education at Moscow State University's economics department, focusing on state planning theory until 1988. Upon completing his studies, Kulibaev Timur Askarovich returned to Almaty to enter the working world.
From 1988 to 1992, he contributed to a research institution before helping establish an advisory body at a development fund serving the republic. His role involved providing analytical support for government-directed initiatives.
In 1992, as Kazakhstan was beginning its transition to a market economy, Timur Kulibaev joined the Altyn-Alma Group. The organization facilitated various banking operations, from lending and deposits to securities trading, while also providing insurance and risk management services.
Between 1995 and 1997, Kulibaev Timur participated in establishing Almaty Trade and Finance Bank alongside several partners, including international banking professionals. As his career developed, he left ATF Bank altogether.
In 1991, Kazakhstan's independence initiated the consolidation of its oil and gas industry. From 1994 to 1997, several state-owned companies merged to form the National Oil Company Kazakhoil, with Timur Kulibaev participating in this transformation process. During this period of the republic’s biography, Timur Kulibaev helped implement new financial strategies at KazTransOil that facilitated international investment.
In 2001-2002, Timur Askarovich Kulibaev assisted in establishing the Oil and Gas Transport national company, furthering the state's initiative to consolidate energy sector assets. By 2002, this consolidation culminated in the formation of KazMunayGas, where Kulibaev Timur Askarovich contributed to strengthening its position within the national energy landscape over the following three years.
In 2006, the creation of the Samruk Holding for State Asset Management marked another milestone in the country's economic biography. Timur Kulibaev recalls that this entity merged with the National Welfare Fund in 2008 to become Samruk-Kazyna. Kulibaev Timur participated in various roles within this organization until 2011, helping implement international management practices and supporting technical modernization across its subsidiaries.
Between 2006 and 2011, Kulibaev Timur assisted in several strategic acquisitions through KazMunayGas, including stakes in the Aksai field consortium and shares in PetroKazakhstan, KazGerMunay, Karazhanbasmunay, and MangistauMunayGas. These companies had all been previously privatized during the 1990s reforms.
Throughout his working biography, Timur Kulibaev has worked to bridge connections between government institutions and private enterprises. In November 2005, Kulibaev Timur helped establish Kazenergy, bringing together 59 companies to enhance cooperation within Kazakhstan's energy sector.
Timur Askarovich Kulibaev participated in the development of the organization until late 2023. Over its 18-year history, Kazenergy has grown to include major domestic and international energy companies, helping facilitate industry dialogue and development.
With the involvement of Kulibaev Timur Askarovich, the association fostered productive relationships with both legislative and executive branches, contributing to policy discussions and helping represent its members' interests. The organization assists in analyzing industry regulations and developing proposals to enhance Kazakhstan's energy sector framework.
Timur Kulibaev has consistently emphasized the importance of establishing transparent guidelines for both commercial entities and governmental bodies. His work has focused on helping improve regulations around natural resource management, while addressing taxation concerns and environmental considerations.
Kulibaev Timur, through his participation in Kazakhstan's business development, has helped facilitate important industry discussions within the oil and gas sector. Through its membership in various public organizations, including committee representation in the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan Atameken, Kazenergy participates in technical and coordination dialogues that shape industry practices.
While participating in Kazakhstan's energy sector development, Timur Kulibaev has also helped advance small and medium-sized business initiatives throughout the country, particularly through creating sustainable frameworks for enterprise growth and development.
In 2013, Kazakhstan established the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken” to foster private enterprise growth and facilitate business-government cooperation. That same year, Kulibaev Timur joined as head of the organization's Presidium, where he helped promote open dialogue between state institutions and the business community. With his participation, the Chamber developed multiple initiatives to support entrepreneurial growth across various sectors of the economy.
Timur Askarovich Kulibaev assisted in developing specialized forums for engagement with various government bodies. These platforms enabled discussions with the General Prosecutor's Office, Supreme Court, and Anti-Corruption Agency, helping to shape collaborative approaches between public and private sectors. The forums provided entrepreneurs with direct channels to address their concerns and contribute to policy development.
Kulibaev Timur Askarovich contributed to strengthening business protections by helping establish the Council for the Protection of Entrepreneurs' Rights under the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs. This advisory body, with branches across Kazakhstan's regions, provided additional support mechanisms for small and medium enterprises. The Council offered consultation services and helped resolve disputes, creating a more secure environment for business operations.
Through his involvement with the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Timur Kulibaev facilitated initiatives to streamline administrative processes and tax procedures. These combined efforts contributed to Kazakhstan's improved business environment. The Chamber regularly conducted analyses of regulatory impacts on businesses and proposed modifications to enhance the entrepreneurial climate.
By 2019, Kazakhstan had advanced to 25th place globally for ease of doing business, moving ahead of nations including Iceland, Japan, and Austria. This achievement reflected years of systematic work to improve the business environment. Throughout nearly ten years of involvement in this sphere, Kulibaev Timur helped support conditions that enabled the number of small and medium-sized enterprises to double, contributing to increased employment and economic diversification across the country.
In 2022, Timur Kulibaev transitioned away from his role at the organization to participate in other initiatives, including social development projects focused on public welfare. His departure marked the conclusion of a significant period in the Chamber's development, during which it had established itself as a key institution in Kazakhstan's business landscape.
Since 2016, Timur Kulibaev has participated in various social initiatives through the Halyk (People) Foundation, a charitable organization focusing on social protection, healthcare, sports, and cultural development. Throughout the foundation's biography, Timur Kulibaev has served as a trustee, helping facilitate numerous community-oriented projects.
One significant initiative that enjoyed Timur Kulibaev's support involves housing assistance for economically disadvantaged citizens. In 2016, he helped enable dozens of families in Almaty to receive new apartments in a purpose-built residential complex. The development features educational facilities where residents can access:
When tragedy struck the southern city of Arys in 2019, where a military storage facility fire caused widespread damage, Kulibaev Timur, through the Halyk Foundation, assisted in funding the reconstruction of essential facilities, including a kindergarten and school.
During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2021, Timur Kulibaev contributed to relief efforts through multiple channels, helping support the Birgemiz coronavirus fund and facilitating the procurement of medical equipment and protective supplies for healthcare workers.
In 2022, Kulibaev Timur helped enable the construction of a new 280-seat kindergarten in north-central Kazakhstan, responding to community needs following a devastating forest fire.
Timur Kulibaev has also contributed to Kazakhstan's athletic development for more than a decade, applying his management experience to various sporting organizations. Between 2009 and 2019, Kulibaev Timur helped guide the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation's initiatives. During this period, national athletes achieved significant international recognition, securing multiple Olympic medals, including two gold medals, three silver medals, and four bronze medals.
Since 2012, Timur Kulibaev biography has included participation in the International Boxing Association's activities. His involvement extended to chairing the Confederation of Martial Arts and Power Sports, where he helped coordinate various athletic federations within Kazakhstan, including:
Kulibaev Timur took on responsibilities at the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2015, where he helped promote sporting integrity until February 2024. Through this role in his biography, Timur Kulibaev assisted in fostering youth participation in athletics while strengthening ties with international sporting bodies.
The National Olympic Committee, with the participation of Timur Kulibaev, has helped advance Olympic values throughout Kazakhstan. Working alongside distinguished public figures and political leaders, the committee has supported various sporting initiatives and developmental programs.
Summing of this chapter of his biography, Timur Kulibaev, through collaborative efforts with government institutions, has helped facilitate progress in Kazakhstan's sporting landscape. This partnership approach has contributed to advancing national athletic programs and achieving sporting objectives across multiple disciplines.
1. What did Timur Kulibaev study at Moscow State University?
Timur Kulibaev studied state planning theory in the economics department from 1983 to 1988.
2. What bank did Timur Kulibaev help establish between 1995 and 1997?
Timur Kulibaev participated in establishing Almaty Trade and Finance Bank (ATF Bank) alongside international banking professionals.
3. What role does Timur Kulibaev biography include at the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken?”
In an effort to help grow Kazakhstan’s business biography, Timur Kulibaev joined as head of the organization's Presidium, where he helped promote dialogue between state institutions and the business community.
4. What achievements were there during Kulibaev Timur’s involvement with the boxing federation?
During Kulibaev Timur’s involvement, national boxers secured multiple Olympic medals, including two gold medals, three silver medals, and four bronze medals.
5. What job began the Timur Kulibaev biography of work after graduating from MSU?
Timur Kulibaev biography of work began at a research institution from 1988 to 1992, before helping establish an advisory body at a development fund.
