Construction companies wield such influence in Kazakhstan that they can confidently put any ministry in a compromising position, open the National Fund, secure funds, and go unaccountable for these billions.
This is the revelation made by the renowned financier Rasul Rysmambetov. In his own words:
«I am surprised and dismayed by the ‘Comfortable School’ project. As far as I know, companies participating in the bids have signed Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). Nowhere can one find:
- A list of involved companies,
- The cost of construction materials,
- The criteria for school construction.
It is evident that our construction giants, which provide no financial reports—neither consolidated nor project-specific—are participating. This situation irks me. Taking 5 billion dollars from the National Fund is like opening a treasure chest, but sharing information on how our national funds are spent is not. How are the National Fund resources spent through the internal corporate procedures of the Sovereign Wealth Fund ‘Samruk-Kazyna’ if these are not fund resources?
Furthermore, I am appalled by the position of the Ministry of Education, which assumes the beaver pose and refuses to take active participation. Where are the comments from the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development? It is obligated to scrutinize such construction projects, and the burden of tomorrow will rest on its shoulders.
If ministries distance themselves and shy away from accountability, let us convene a meeting of the public council of the fund to discuss the accumulating issues.»
