The former president of JSC Kazakhtelecom, Khairat Karibzhanov, previously criticised for his level of income, now chairs the board of directors of JSC QazTrade. His position is being discussed against the backdrop of information about government procurement tenders placed by the company totalling around 151 million tenge.
CURRENT POSITION
According to the Telegram channel "LETTERS TO THE PRESIDENT", Khairat Karibzhanov is the chairman of the board of directors of JSC "Centre for the Development of Trade Policy 'QazTrade'" under the Ministry of Trade and Integration.
According to the company's official website, he has held this position since 22 May 2025.
Karibzhanov has more than 30 years of experience working in state and quasi-state structures. In 1991–2000, he held various positions in the Ministry of Transport and Communications, including that of First Vice-Minister.
In 2000–2006, he headed JSC Kazakhtelecom.
PAST CRITICISM OF INCOME
In 2006, the activities of Khairat Karibzhanov as president of JSC Kazakhtelecom came under public criticism due to the level of his income.
According to the website of the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) citing the company's press service, based on the results of 2005, he received bonuses of approximately $1.7 million, which he later returned.
Former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, at a meeting of the Security Council, a report of which was shown in a news broadcast on the "Khabar" television channel, criticised the size of Karibzhanov's monthly salary, which according to his information amounted to $364,000.
Following this, an order was given for his dismissal.
QAZTRADE'S EXPENDITURE PLANS
Earlier, information appeared in the media that JSC QazTrade had placed procurement tenders totalling around 151 million tenge for holding events.
Three lots with the status "published" have been placed in the system:
- a lot worth 40.1 million tenge;
- a lot worth 70.2 million tenge;
- a lot worth 41.1 million tenge.
The customer for all lots is listed as JSC "Centre for the Development of Trade Policy 'QazTrade'".
One of the lots specifically mentions conducting a trade and economic mission in Afghanistan, while another mentions conducting a similar mission in the People's Republic of China (PRC).