Supreme Court Backs Antimonopoly Agency's Findings Regarding KTZ Subsidiary

Kazakhstan’s national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Joly (KTZ), banned private carriers from using gondola cars at certain stations, but made an exception for its own subsidiary, Kaztemirtrans, Orda.kz reports.

The Supreme Court has upheld the findings of the antimonopoly agency, which concluded that KTZ violated competition laws.

On May 19, 2023, a temporary ban was imposed on the transportation of empty owned and leased gondola cars at the Mugalzhar and Bershogur stations. However, KTZ’s subsidiary, Kaztemirtrans JSC, continued operations without restrictions,the Agency for the Protection and Development of Competition said following its investigation. 

The agency deemed the decision unjustified and stated that it gave Kaztemirtrans an unfair competitive advantage, thereby undermining the principles of a level playing field.

The court ruled in favor of the antimonopoly authority, although it remains unclear whether KTZ faced any repercussions.

Original Author: Alexandra Mokhireva