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Aidar Zhexenbiyev, Kazakhstan

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Corporate Secretary

KazMunaiGas Exploration & Production JSC

Public Policy Program (’01)

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Please tell us about your career path so far. What is your area of specialization and how did you come to work in this area?

I started my career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1999. I held various positions in the Ministry, including a posting at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Japan. My last post at MoFA was Head of the International Contracts Department when I decided to move on and started working as a lawyer in the oil and gas field in 2005. At that time JSC National Company KazMunayGas was in need of native lawyers with English. In 2008, I became a Director of KazMunaiGas branch in gas-rich Turkmenistan. In 2010, I moved to the Kazakhstan Ministry of Oil and Gas where I was appointed as a deputy director. After 3 years there I decided to recall my legal specialization and joined JSC “KazMunayGas Exploration Production”.

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You are currently Corporate Secretary of JSC “KazMunaiGas” Exploration & Production. Please tell us about the company and your main responsibilities and duties?

KazMunaiGas Exploration & Production (KMG EP) is a subsidiary of National Company KazMunaiGas, a state-owned oil and gas company of Kazakhstan. KMG EP was founded in March 2004 and is among the top three Kazakh oil and gas producers, as well as a leading company in the field of hydrocarbon exploration and production in Kazakhstan. KMG EP is the only Kazakh oil and gas company that has its equity listed at the London Stock Exchange.

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As Corporate Secretary I support the Board of Directors and organize the general shareholder meetings. I am also responsible for the improvement of corporate governance and the development and implementation of a compliance policy. Cooperation with rating agencies on corporate governance, and with regulatory bodies and stock exchanges on listing requirements is also part of my duties.

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In your current capacity, what do you see as the main opportunities and challenges for Kazakhstan over the course of the next five to ten years?

The main problem is the lack of stability and the unpredictability of the foreseeable future of the next two years, let alone the next five or ten years. This causes a lot of uncertainty, which is a main challenge. However opportunities prevail and KMG EP remains optimistic.

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What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work? And what have been the most interesting or rewarding aspects of your career thus far?

There are many challenges in my day-to-day job but it is great to overcome those.

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What have been the most interesting or rewarding aspects of your career thus far? What achievement(s) are you most proud of?

From 2008 till 2010, I worked as Director at the branch of National Company KazMunayGas JSC in Turkmenistan. In this position I was involved in developing and implementing a single state policy, and ensure that KMG strategic interests were observed in the oil and gas sector of Turkmenistan. Being a successful pioneer of National Company KMG in another country was one of the most interesting aspects of my career so far. I try to find better things in my every day job and look optimistic at my current workplace.

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What led you to GRIPS? What is the most important thing you got out of your studies here, and how has your experience at GRIPS prepared you for future endeavours?

In the beginning of 2000, when was working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I came across a “call for applications” from GRIPS and decided to give it a try. Besides, I did realize I needed better education in a developed country, so why not Japan? Although I always thought I would pursue further studies in the USA or Great Britain I ended up in Tokyo and have never regretted it. My education was vital to promote my career growth at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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What is your fondest memory of your time spent at GRIPS? And what do you miss about Japan?

I miss everything about Japan: its culture, the Japanese cuisine, Asahi beer, Japanese beautiful ladies, my class mates, hanami and a soccer match at the Saitama dormitory, with me as scorer and, subsequently, the hero of the match! Also I remember how I spent several nights at GRIPS preparing my reports for some classes. As a reward the class applauded after my R&D presentation. These nights were unforgettable: so many thoughts, bento and nice music all night long and NOBODY and NOTHING to interrupt me while I was developing the presentations. These are just a few of the many, many great memories I could talk about.

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How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life?

My favorite way to spend free time is to be with my soul, heart, angel – my beloved daughter. She is nine years old. I also go to the gym and party with my friends sometimes. At the end of a day I prefer to read nice books and sleep well. Nothing extraordinary.

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If you could give one piece of advice to anyone considering studying at GRIPS what would it be?

There is nothing much to consider – GO AND STUDY!!! This institute will be the best thing that happened to you.

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How would you like to maintain involved with the School? What do you expect from GRIPS as an alumnus?

I expect money from GRIPS. Just kidding. I really hope GRIPS can provide the alumnus of the month/year with an invitation to Japan. This can stimulate former students to become alumnus of the month and stay connected with GRIPS. Why not everyone? Because there should be some kind of competition between former students. In order to be invited the former student must become an alumnus of the month/year. Also at such events these best former students could play a pivotal role in strengthening the GRIPS network through interaction with each other, their professors and current students.

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Do you have any suggestions on how to further utilize the GRIPS alumni network?

I wish the School could organize a “GRIPS homecoming” event for alumni once every 3 or 5 years. I believe many of us would be incredibly happy to come for a long week – two weekends and five working days – to Tokyo.