Who is Orifdzhan Shadiev for the business community of Kazakhstan? Why is Orifdzhan Kabulovich Shadiev considered one of the most successful innovators in the field of large and small businesses in Central Asia? You can learn about this from the detailed biography of the extraordinary and controversial investor, manager, and aspiring philanthropist, Orifdzhan K. Shadiev.
The beginning of capitalism or, as it is commonly called, the market economy in Central Asia, like in the entire post-Soviet space, was extremely difficult but rapid. The losses suffered by Asian countries were enormous. However, Kazakhstan managed to embark on the right path thanks to businessmen like Orifdzhan Shadiev. According to Orifdzhan Kabulovich Shadiev himself, learning from others’ mistakes, avoiding repeating one’s own, and observing the achievements of the boldest are the keys to success.
Orifdzhan Shadiev is a well-known investor and businessman in Kazakhstan. Among his assets are the banks “Capital Bank Kazakhstan,” “AsiaCredit Bank,” and “ISKZ” (Integra Construction Kazakhstan). The Kazakhstani edition of Forbes ranked him as the 32nd and 40th most influential businessman in 2019 and 2021, respectively.
Orifdzhan Kabulovich Shadiev, the nephew of Pathokh Kayumovich Shodiev, a billionaire and owner of a mining business, was born on August 21, 1973, in Tashkent, Uzbek SSR. He is married and has three children.
He obtained his education in finance and investments from the Tashkent State Economic University (formerly Tashkent Institute of National Economy). After completing his studies in 2000, Orifdzhan Shadiev earned a master’s degree in international affairs.
In 2007-2008, he attended advanced courses in euro-management “Business Development Management” at ANH under the Government of the Russian Federation.
Career Development of Orifdzhan Shadiev
In 1998, Orifdzhan Shadiev started working at “MEK Transsystem” LLP. By 2007, due to his dedication and initiative in the logistics field, he became the CEO of the company. He remained the Chairman of the Board for five years until 2012. During that time, “MEK Transsystem” was reorganized and renamed to “ENRC Logistics,” becoming a transportation group with its container fleet and access to ports in Novorossiysk, Riga, and Lianyungang.
Understanding the business prospects, Orifdzhan Shadiev became the owner of “Zhol Zhondeushy” LLP in 2012. The construction company operates in various areas:
- Building and repairing roads;
- Participating in the restoration of highways and roads after emergencies;
- Reconstructing communication paths;
- Developing infrastructure projects that will change Kazakhstan’s transportation network.
The large corporation includes 24 production bases, the Aktyubinsk rail and beam plant, 16 machine stations with equipment, and the Zholamansky gravel plant. This comprehensive integration has become a monopoly with representation in three cities of the Republic – Nur-Sultan, Atyrau, and Almaty.
As an experienced businessman and investor, Orifdzhan Shadiev attracts funding from “Capital Bank” and “AsiaCredit Bank” and makes a significant contribution to the development of railway communication and road networks. He effectively reconstructs a new infrastructure to support the successful development of logistics in Kazakhstan. As the owner of “Integra Construction KZ” LLP in Nur-Sultan, he invests millions of tenge in the construction of highways and an extensive railway network:
- Zhetigen-Khorgos railway section of 293 km;
- Zhezkazgan-Saxaul railway section of 547.6 km;
- Arkalyk-Shubarkol railway line of 214.4 km;
- Almaty1-Shu railway line of 110.7 km;
- Kapshagay-Almaty highways, a road artery connecting the northern part of Kazakhstan with the south, with a total length of 1225 km (8 km);
- In the territory of the free economic zone, a transport logistics facility was built (including transport, service stations, containers) from the Dry Port to the “Khorgos Eastern Gates,” covering a distance of 25 km. It is an essential infrastructure object connecting Central Asia, the Middle East, and China.
Merger with the “Todini” Italian company
Orifdzhan Shadiev was the owner of the company “Todini” from 2016 to 2019. The company attracted an experienced investor and businessman with a clear organization of construction processes for major projects worldwide, such as viaducts, airports, underground and underwater tunnels, viaducts, dams, and high-rise structures, earning a reputation as a reliable partner.
Thus, the Italian construction company Todini Costruzioni Generali S.p.A. became Kazakhstan’s. The businessman’s plans were to introduce new working methods to the corporation “Integra Construction KZ” and make a successfully operating business competitive in the international market. To support existing projects, the shareholder planned to find financial resources at the level of global financial institutions. Examples of Shadiev’s activities include participating in the CAREC 1b project, a transit corridor between China and Western Europe, and the completion of the construction of the Horogos-Koktal-Chunja-Kokpek-Almaty highway, which is 302 km long.
Assessment of Orifdzhan Shadiev’s Successful Activities
“Zhol Zhondeushi” LLP received well-deserved awards for its significant contribution to the development of Kazakhstan’s logistics infrastructure, including the title of “Best Employer of the Year” in 2014 for companies with over 2000 employees. The company was awarded the Platinum category “International Diamond Prize for Excellence in Quality 2015,” recognizing its high-quality work and services by the expert community of the European Union.
In 2017, after the reorganization led by Orifdzhan Shadiev, “Zhol Zhondeushi” LLP was renamed “Integra Construction KZ” LLP.
Shadiev’s Charity Actions and Investments
From 2015 to 2018, Orifdzhan Shadiev participated in charity events of the “Dom Mamy” foundation.
Shadiev was the sole shareholder of the banks “AsiaCredit Bank” from 2019 to 2020 and “Capital Bank Kazakhstan” from 2013 to 2021. These consistently developing financial institutions have held a worthy position in the Kazakhstan market, providing banking services to the country’s residents for over ten years.
Due to temporary financial difficulties, the banks have to pay penalties: Tengri Bank – 4.2 million tenge, Capital Bank – 7.8 million tenge, AsiaCredit Bank – 29.4 million tenge. “Capital Bank,” an essential asset among Orifdzhan Shadiev’s investments, requires an injection of 29.3 billion tenge, as assessed by the Agency for the Regulation of the Financial Market. Orifdzhan Kabulovich provides support to Capital Bank in seeking financial resources and made an additional deposit of 18.4 billion tenge for a long-term deposit.
About the author: John Campbell
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