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Almaty's bustling markets are more than just local shopping hubs; they are vital economic centers for Kazakhstan, with annual turnovers reaching billions of tenge. A recent investigation by Kursiv.media has shed light on the ownership structures and tax contributions of the city's most prominent marketplaces.

'Kok Bazar': A Billionaire's Domain

'Kok Bazar,' one of Almaty's oldest and most recognized trading grounds, spans 3.16 hectares. Its ultimate ownership lies with two prominent figures. Dinara Kulibaeva, a billionaire on the Forbes list and daughter of the former president, manages the market through 'MERCURY PROPERTIES' LLC. The second owner is billionaire Yuri Tskhai, whose wealth is estimated at $100 million. Tskhai holds ownership via 'Dostar-INVEST' and is actively involved in the development of the Alatau district.

According to Adata, 'Kok Bazar' began paying taxes in 2015. To date, it has contributed 3.5 billion tenge to the state budget, with the highest tax payment of 690 million tenge recorded in 2025. The market employs over 100 individuals.

'Altyn Orda': Contentious Ownership and Tax Surge

Many of Almaty's lucrative market spaces have historically been linked to the Nazarbayev family. 'Altyn Orda' market is no exception. From 2013 to 2022, it was owned by 'KURYLYS LTD' LLC, associated with Bolat Nazarbayev. In 2022, ownership transferred to Daniyar Alpiev and 'Company Number One' LLC. Alpiev claims his father founded the market, but it was later seized by the Nazarbayev family through alleged hostile takeovers.

A criminal case related to this matter was initiated in 2023, leading to the prosecution of Bolat Nazarbayev's associates. Despite this, vendors maintain that the market remains under the influence of the former president's family. While the State Revenue Committee's data does not specify tax revenue from the market, Adata reports 292 million tenge paid to the treasury. Notably, before 2022, annual tax payments ranged from 5-12 million tenge. After the change in ownership, this figure surged twentyfold to 210 million tenge.

'Kenzhehan' Market: Post-Takeover Transformations

Another market linked to the former president's family is 'Kenzhehan.' Reports suggest that in the 2000s, the market was allegedly seized through a hostile takeover by Anipa Nazarbayeva, the former president's sister. However, following the January 2022 events, Anipa Nazarbayeva transferred the market to 'Mitra Consulting' LLC. The founder of this company is Alexandra Manushina, and the market is managed by her relative, Tatyana Manushina.

The market has paid a total of 684 million tenge in taxes. Similar to 'Altyn Orda,' tax payments, which were between 8-13 million tenge annually before 2022, increased to 39 million tenge in 2022. Payments reached 114 million tenge in 2023 and 139 million tenge in 2024. The market provides employment for 42 people.

'Tastak' Market: A Continuing Tax Scheme

'Tastak' market is another prominent marketplace associated with the Nazarbayev family. Until 2022, Bolat Nazarbayev and his sons, Kundyz and Nurbol Nazarbayev, were listed as founders of 'Tastak' LLC. Currently, the company is managed by, and its owner is, 41-year-old Yerlan Kairov.

While the market contributes millions in taxes, a tax scheme typical of entities linked to the Nazarbayevs is observed. Before 2022, 'Tastak' LLC paid between 7-12 million tenge in taxes. In 2022, this figure dramatically increased to 360 million tenge. In subsequent years, payments have fluctuated between 20-30 million tenge. The enterprise employs 35 individuals.

'Alatau' Market: Limited Information Available

Publicly available data on 'Alatau' market, located in the famous 'barakholka' area, is scarce. While Tartu Arginov is listed as the head of 'Alatau Rynok' LLC, information regarding its founders and tax revenue is absent. Some media outlets suggest a possible connection to entrepreneur Serik Estay, the owner of the 'Alatau Kus' factory.

It is worth noting that according to the Bureau of National Statistics, the number of markets in Kazakhstan is declining. Last year, 588 markets were registered, which is 38 fewer than the previous year.

This information was reported by Infohub.kz.