KazTransGas Aimaq Found Guilty of Unfair Monopoly with Construction Firm

The national gas operator KazTransGas Aimak has been found guilty of collusion with the construction company GAS QURYLYS, according to the Agency for the Protection and Development of Competition, Orda.kz reports.

The two companies were found to have divided the market for gas connection services. In practice, all construction work was handed over to a single contractor — GAS QURYLYS LLP — effectively blocking other firms from entering the market.

Such actions violated consumers' rights. People were denied the legal right to freely choose a contractor to connect their homes to natural gas,the agency stated. 

The court confirmed the agency’s findings. Although the companies appealed the decision, the Supreme Court ultimately upheld the ruling.

GAS QURYLYS LLP, based in Astana, specializes in construction and has paid nearly four billion tenge in taxes since 2015. Its founder is Damir Tynybekov, who also owns several other companies, including SpetsgazMontazh and Baitak Kurylys.

The latter obtained rights to explore mineral resources in the Aqtobe region two years ago.

As of January 1, 2022, Tynybekov held the position of Deputy General Director for Economics and Finance and was a board member of Amangeldy Gas LLP, a subsidiary of QazaqGaz.

Original Author: Zarina Fayzulina