MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In the reporting period, the Samruk-Kazyna Fund and its companies continued to work actively towards sustainable economic development and improvement of citizens' welfare.
Olzhas Bektenov
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the SWF Samruk-Kazyna JSC, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
At the beginning of the reporting year, the long-term development plan of the Fund for 2023-2032, aimed at the development of the economy of Kazakhstan and implementation of strategically important projects, was adopted.
In the reporting year, the Fund's payment to the national budget in the form of dividends amounted to 1,269 billion KZT, which exceeded the previous year's figure by more than 7 times. In addition, KZT 133 billion was allocated to support social and infrastructure projects. Also, since 2023, as part of the implementation of one of the initiatives of the Head of State in terms of annual allocation of funds in the amount of at least 7 percent of net income, the Fund has allocated 66.6 billion KZT to the Public Fund "Kazakhstan Khalkyna".
In the reporting year, the Fund's payment to the republican budget in the form of dividends amounted to
1,269
KZT billion
An important achievement in 2023 was a significant increase in hydrocarbon reserves, achieved through active actions on additional exploration and drilling of wells within the framework of the Rehabilitation Program.
In the reporting period, investment projects aimed at expanding and modernizing the gas transportation infrastructure and increasing the resource base of marketable gas were actively implemented. Thus, in 2023, with the support of the Government and the Fund, the looping of the main gas pipeline "Makat-North Caucasus" was built and put into operation, the second string of the main gas pipeline "Beineu-Zhanaozen" was launched, gasification of the area "Sarsha" and the resort area "Warm Beach" in Mangistau region was carried out, the first stage of construction of gas infrastructure for the power complex of CHP-2 and CHP-3 in Almaty was completed, and settlements in Kostanay region were gasified.
Within the framework of renewable energy in 2023 together with major foreign investors such as Acwa Power (Saudi Arabia), Masdar (UAE), Total Eren (France), Unigreen Energy (Russia), China Power International Holding and Power China (PRC) initiated projects on construction of solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of ~6 GW.
KEGOC implemented a strategically important project to strengthen the power network of the Western Zone of the Unified Power System of Kazakhstan, under which five 220 kV power transmission lines with a total length of about 780 km were built. As a result of the project, the reliability of the network of the Western zone was improved.
In the field of transport and logistics, by the end of 2023, the record indicators of transit cargo transportation in the amount of more than 27 million tons (18% more than in 2022) were achieved, including the growth of container transit indicators was about 13.6%.
Of particular importance is the successful placement of shares of Air Astana JSC and KEGOC JSC, which becomes a significant step towards diversification of the national economic portfolio and creation of favorable conditions for the development of the financial market. In the next 2-3 years it is expected that such companies as NC "Kazakhstan Temir Zholy" JSC and NC "QazaqGaz" JSC will go public. The Fund should continue to work towards the implementation of the instruction of the Head of State to bring national companies to IPO, contributing to effective privatization in the context of liberalization of the economy.
Taking into account global challenges and changes taking place in the world, the Fund seeks to diversify the country's economy by supporting projects in the field of green energy, digitalization and infrastructure development for sustainable economic growth. Continuing the successful implementation of projects aimed at improving the quality of life of citizens and sustainable development of the Republic remains an important priority task of the Samruk-Kazyna Fund for the coming years.
One of the ambitious goals set by the Head of State before the Fund is to double the economy of Kazakhstan in the near future. To achieve this goal, the Samruk-Kazyna Fund will intensify its efforts to support key sectors of the economy and attract foreign investments. I am confident that with a comprehensive approach and strategic vision, the Fund will be able to achieve its goals and ensure stable growth and prosperity of the country.