On 8 April, the akim of Pavlodar Region, Asain Baikhanov, reported to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on plans to build three ferroalloy plants in Ekibastuz with a capacity of 460,000 tonnes per year. According to the authorities, their launch could propel Kazakhstan to second place in the world for ferroalloy production.
Journalists from the Telegram channel "They've already come for us" sent a request to the akimat of Pavlodar Region asking to clarify who the investors in these projects are and at what stage construction stands. In the akimat's response, it is stated that three investment projects are being implemented in Ekibastuz:
- Mineral Product International LLP — construction of a ferroalloy plant for 119.9 billion tenge;
- EkibastuzFerroAlloys LLP — construction of a ferroalloy plant costing 92 billion tenge;
- the private company KazferroLimited — organisation of ferroalloy production for 27.8 billion tenge.
From open sources, it became known that the company EkibastuzFerroAlloys is linked to Yerlan Nigmatulin — an entrepreneur and brother of former Majilis Speaker Nurlan Nigmatulin.
As previously reported by the publication Vlast, before the January 2022 events, the Kazakhstan Development Bank (KDB) provided significant support to Yerlan Nigmatulin's business. According to available information, the KDB issued a loan of 72 billion tenge to EkibastuzFerroAlloys LLP.
After the January events and criticism from the head of state, who stated that "the KDB has turned into a personal bank for a select circle of individuals", the future of the ferroalloy enterprises remained uncertain.
Now, as follows from the official response of the akimat, the construction of the EkibastuzFerroAlloys plant is in its final stages.
"EkibastuzFerroAlloys LLP - earthworks and concrete work have been completed, metal structures have been installed, installation of technological equipment is 99% complete, and commissioning works are underway. The launch is scheduled for 2025", the statement reads.
The journalists also asked whether the akimat assesses possible reputational risks associated with recent news of criminal cases against members of the Nigmatulin family.
"All three companies are actively implementing projects to launch metallurgical plants: work is being carried out in accordance with approved schedules and plans, with no deviations recorded. The implementation of these projects is not accompanied by risks, which is confirmed by the thorough preparation of each stage and the stable dynamics of execution", the akimat responded.
For context, former Majilis Speaker Nurlan Nigmatulin stepped down from his post on 1 February 2022 following the January events. He had headed the lower house of parliament since 2016, this being his second term as speaker – he previously held the post from 2012 to 2014. Over the years, he also headed the Presidential Administration and served as akim of Karaganda Region. In early April, it was reported that a criminal case had been opened against his son, Nurzhan Nurlanov, on charges of "arbitrary action". Later, the Prosecutor General's Office stated that Nurlanov had not been recognised as a suspect in this case.
Yerlan Nigmatulin – Nurlan Nigmatulin's twin brother – also held a deputy's seat in both the Majilis and the Senate. Both brothers have repeatedly faced unofficial accusations of corporate raiding and possible links to criminal structures.
Argyn Nigmatulin – their older brother, a former deputy of the Karaganda Regional Maslikhat. Incidentally, in July last year, it was reported that the regional prosecutor's office returned the hockey club "Saryarka", valued at 900 million tenge, to the state. It was also noted at the time that the hockey club was within the sphere of interest of Argyn Nigmatulin.
In March, Argyn Nigmatulin was placed on the international wanted list. He and others are suspected of embezzling budget funds allocated for the development of hockey in the Karaganda region.
Later, journalists conducted a detailed analysis of the assets of the eldest Nigmatulin, revealing an extensive network of business interests and property in Kazakhstan and abroad.