Development of essential social services and infrastructure

One of our most large-scale and socially significant work areas is the gasification of the country's regions. We are building gas infrastructure and constructing new facilities, ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted gas supply. In addition, we convert industrial facilities and businesses to natural gas, reducing the environmental impact of our operations.

Thanks to our efforts, the country's gasification level has reached 60%. We ensured uninterrupted gas supply to the Republic all year round despite unprecedented challenges in the energy sector at the beginning of 2023.

We play crucial role in connecting cities through JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy by providing reliable and affordable transport services to citizens, especially in remote regions of the country where other modes of transport may be unavailable or limited. Thanks to our wide network — 138 rail routes and 16 thousand km of railroads in the country — and affordable fares, we provide the population with the opportunity to travel safely and comfortably between cities and towns.

In 2023, the trains of JSC Passenger Transportation carried over 13,681 thousand passengers. JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy promotes inclusiveness and safety in its operations. For instance, there was a 42% increase in transportation for passengers with special needs compared to 2022. There are 87 carriages with seats for citizens with reduced mobility. They run on 36 routes. Disabled people can benefit from discounts of up to 50% on fares, and online ticketing will be simplified from 1 September 2023. GRI 203-1

At the end of 2023, about 161 thousand Kazakhstan passengers used the “Women’s Car” services. For comparison 2022, more than 114 thousand people traveled in such cars. By the end of 2023, women’s cars will be part of 8 passenger trains. All necessary conditions for comfortable traveling will be created, and female conductors will accompany passengers. GRI 203-2

The development of the construction industry in Kazakhstan is supported by our portfolio company Samruk-Kazyna Construction JSC.

The investment company Samruk-Kazyna Invest LLP finances manufacturing, machine building, light and food industries. This creates new production, quality jobs, reduces import dependence, attracts foreign investments and technologies.

We provide advanced telecommunications services through our subsidiary Kazakhtelecom JSC. We are currently expanding telecoms coverage, particularly in rural communities. In total, 5,351 rural settlements will be provided with internet by 2023.

As part of the project to modernize the network infrastructure in 2023, Kazakhtelecom JSC migrated almost 55 thousand subscribers across the country to fiber-optic communication lines. GRI 203-2

Ensuring access to postal services, including in remote regions of the country, is an essential aspect of the Fund Group’s social support. Our portfolio company, Kazpost JSC, is the national postal operator of Kazakhstan and has the most extensive branch network in the country, covering almost the entire territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, particularly at the district and rural level (around 3,000 post offices).

To ensure equal access to public services and to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban areas, a pilot project to provide public services in rural post offices was launched in May 2023. The project has been implemented in 11 regions and covers over 200 rural post offices.

Kazpost JSC delivers pensions free of charge to people over 80 and special categories of citizens. Money is delivered directly to homes. GRI 203-2

Air Astana JSC operates 91 routes to 43 destinations (international and domestic).

The company provides preferential air travel for certain categories of citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan:

• children from low-income families with incurable in Kazakhstan oncological or cardiovascular diseases travelling for treatment or surgery. Round-trip tickets are provided for a child and one accompanying person.
• Veterans of civil aviation flying for treatment or surgery.
• Veterans of the Great Patriotic War (GPW) and veterans of civil aviation, citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the airline helps them to travel within Kazakhstan and the CIS, providing a 100% discount on flights, excluding airport and other charges.
• providing free flights under the “Zhas Kyran” social programme.

QAZAQ AIR JSC, also part of the Fund’s portfolio, operates subsidized socially significant routes in the Republic of Kazakhstan on seven routes. The airline offers discounts to seriously ill children, children with disabilities and their companions, and a special preferential fare for passengers aged 16-22 and over 60. GRI 203-2