Timur Askarovich Kulibayev (Kazakh: Тимур Құлыбаев; Russian: Тимур Аскарович Кулибаев) is a prominent Kazakh businessman, and son-in-law of Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev. As is the former vice-president of KazMunaiGaz and current head of the KazEnergy association, he commands immense influence throughout the country's hydrocarbon industry.^[1][2][3] With a net worth of $2.1 billion, he is one of the richest men in Kazakhstan^[4]. Kulibayev is often mentioned as a possible successor to Nazarbayev. ^[5][6][7][8]

Contents 1 Personal life 2 Business career 3 Political career 3.1 Political Alliances 3.2 Future Aspirations 4 References

[edit] Personal life

Timur Kulibayev was born on September 10, 1966 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. He is from the Shaprashty tribe of the Greater Zhuz, the same tribe as President Nazarbayev.^[6] His father, Askar Kulibayev, was a notable governmental figure, serving as the First Secretary of the Gurev (now Atyrau) Oblast branch of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan, then as the Construction and Material Resources minister.^[9] Timur's older brother, Talgat, is a general in the interior ministry.^[10]

In 1988 Kulibayev graduated from Moscow State University with a degree in economics.^[11]

He is married to Dinara Kulibayeva (formerly Nazarbayeva), the middle daughter of Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Dinara currently heads the National Education Fund and, along with her husband, is one of the wealthiest people in Kazakhstan.^[12][13]

It has been alleged that Kulibayev was romantically involved with a woman named Gaukhar Berkalieva (who goes by the name Goga Ashkenazi), and had a child by her in 2007.^[14][15]

He is an avid fan of sports, especially golf, and often competes in golf tournaments.^[16]

[edit] Business career

Kulibayev began his business career in the 1990s when he joined the petroleum section of the Financial Ministry. In 1997 control of the oil industry was transferred to KazakhOil, and Kulibayev was made vice president of the company. In 2000 Kulibayev became CEO of KazTransOil, the pipeline division of KazakhOil. The next year he was promoted to CEO of TransNefteGaz, which controlled all oil and natural gas pipelines in the country. In 2002 the holding company KazMunaiGas was created, and Kulibayev began a three year stretch as the company's vice president.^[17]

In October 2005 Kulibayev stepped down from his position at KazMunaiGas. Two months later, he was named chairman of KazEnergy, a position he still holds.^[18][19][3]

In June 2006 Kulibayev returned to KazMunaiGas as its president and chairman of its board of directors.^[17] Around the same time Kulibayev was also named head of the new state-holding company Samruk in 2006, however he was removed from this post in early 2007.^[20] Some analysts saw this as an attempt by Nazarbayev to prevent Kulibayev from growing too strong, especially considering the recent fall of a Kulibayev political opponent, Rakhat Aliyev.^[21][22][20]

Timur and Dinara Kulibayev control the Almex holding group (each owns 50% of the company).^[23] The group's holdings include Halyk Bank, one of the largest banks in the country.^[24][25]

Kulibayev's personal cooperation is seen as essential for any foreign company hoping to do business in Kazakhstan's oil sector.^[26][27]

[edit] Political career

Kulibayev, though never holding an elected position, still wields notable political influence in the country.

[edit] Political Alliances

Kulibayev is considered to be the head of one of the main political "factions" within President Nazarbayev's inner circle.^[28] He is often seen as competing against a rival family faction led by Dariga Nazarbayeva and her former husband, Rakhat Aliyev. ^[29][30] The Kulibayev faction includes such prominent politicians as Karim Masimov, the current Prime Minister.^[31][32]

[edit] Future Aspirations

Thanks to his business and political backing, as well as key connections in the oil sector, Kulibayev has large political influence. This has led many to speculate that Kulibayev is a contender to be President Nazarbayev's successor.

Nazarbayev's family holds immense influence throughout the country. His children, and their spouses, have connections to most of Kazakhstan's major industries.^[33] This has led to charges of nepotism, and raises the expectation that the country's next leader will come from within the family.^[34] Dariga Nazarbayeva, the president's eldest daughter, was long considered the primary choice to follow Nazarbayev, however recently her power has been reduced.^[32] She lost control of her Khabar television station in 2006. In 2007 she divorced her husband, Rakhat Aliev, after an arrest warrant was issued for him by the Kazakh authorities. He is currently in exile in Austria.^[35] This sudden reduction of power in the Dariga Nazarbayeva/Rakhat Aliev faction further raises the possibility that Kulibayev is in a strong position to become Kazakhstan's next leader.

[edit] References