Olzhas Bektenov
Speaker
Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Biography
Olzhas Bektenov
Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan
He was born in 1980 in Almaty.
He graduated from the Kazakh State Law Academy.
He began his career in 2002 as a chief specialist of the department in the Department of Justice of Almaty.
From 2005 to 2006, he was an expert, chief expert of the Legal Department of the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
From 2006 to 2009, he worked in the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
From 2009 to 2012, he was Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Registration Service and Legal Assistance of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
From 2012 to 2014, he served as Head of Department in the central office of the Republic of Kazakhstan Agency for Combating Economic and Corruption Crime (Financial Police).
In 2015-2016, he was the Chief of Staff of the Akim of Astana, Head of the Secretariat of the Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In 2016-2017, he was the Head of the Department of the National Bureau for Combating Corruption (anti-corruption service) for the city of Astana.
From 2017 to 2018, he was Deputy Akim of Akmola region.
From 2018 to 2019, he was Deputy Chairman of the Republic of Kazakhstan Agency for Public Service and Anti-Corruption.
From 2019 to 2022, he was the First Deputy Chairman of the Republic of Kazakhstan Anti-Corruption Agency.
From February 2022 to April 2023, he was the Chairman of the Republic of Kazakhstan Anti-Corruption Agency.
On April 3, 2023, by Decree of the Head of State, he was appointed Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
On February 6, 2024 by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan he was appointed Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
He was awarded the orders of "Aibyn" ІІ degree (2014), "Danek" ІІ degree (2021).
Kanat Sharlapaev
Speaker
Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Biography
Kanat Sharlapaev
Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan
He started his career in 2003 as a manager of the Customer Relations Department of Petrocommerce Bank of the Russian Federation.
In 2006-2008 he worked as a specialist in the Finance Department of the investment bank "City" in London (UK), in Prague (Czech Republic). In 2008-2014, he was a senior analyst, assistant to the Vice President, Vice President of the Regional Division for work on the stock Market of the investment Bank "City" (Great Britain). From 2014 to 2015, he held the position of Vice President of the Regional Strategic Planning Group
and analysis on Europe, the Middle East and Africa of the investment bank "City" of Great Britain. In 2015-2017, he was Chief Financial Officer, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board, Senior Vice President of Citibank of Kazakhstan. From 2017 to 2020, he worked as Chief Financial Officer for Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, Senior Vice President of Citibank of the Russian Federation. In 2020, he was appointed Regional Director for Strategy, Planning and Analysis in the emerging markets of Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe of the investment bank City (UAE).
Since February 2022 – Chairman of the Management Board of JSC "National Managing Holding "Baiterek".
On September 4, 2023, he was appointed Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Alibek Kuantyrov
Speaker
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Biography
Alibek Kuantyrov
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
General information, education
Born in Atyrau city on November 14, 1983
Education
2000 – 2006, Tomsk State University, Finance and Credit, Linguistics and Intercultural Communication
2008 – 2010, University of Michigan, Master in Applied Economics
Holder of the Presidential Bolashak International Scholarship
A member of the Presidential Youth Personnel Reserve 1.0.
Language proficiency
Kazakh, English, Spanish, German and Russian
Acquired certificates and awards
DipIFR (IFRS) by ACCA, Professional Accountant
“Eren enbegi ushin” (for outstanding service) and several jubilee medals
Career
CAREER BACKGROUND
September 2005 – February 2006, Leading Specialist of the Department of Internal Administration Department, and the Department of International Relations, Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning, Republic of Kazakhstan.
In 2007 completed an internship at the Ministry of Finance, Japan.
February 2006 – October 2010, Expert, chief expert of the Investment Policy and Planning Department, Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Republic of Kazakhstan.
November 2010 - Head of the Strategic Development Division of the Strategic Planning and Analysis Department, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Republic of Kazakhstan.
November 2010 – February 2013, Deputy Director of the Department of Budget Policy and Planning, Ministry of Finance, Republic of Kazakhstan.
February – June 2013, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Geology and Subsoil Use, Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, Republic of Kazakhstan.
June 2013 – April 2019, Deputy Head of the Center for Strategic Research and Analysis and Deputy Head of the Department of Socio-Economic Monitoring, Executive Office of the President, Republic of Kazakhstan.
April 2019 – February 2021, Deputy Head of the Division, Office of the First President – Elbasy, Republic of Kazakhstan.
In February 2021, he became Vice-Minister of National Economy, and from January 2022 to February 2024 - Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Other positions:
- Member of the Board of Directors of JSC National Welfare Fund Samruk-Kazyna (11.01.2022 - 06.02.2024).
- Member of the Board of Directors of JSC National Management Holding Baiterek (04.02.2022 - 06.02.2024).
- Member of the Management Council of the International Financial Center Astana (11.01.2022 - 06.02.2024);
- Member of the Board of Directors of JSC National Company KAZAKH INVEST (11.01.2022 - 06.02.2024).
– Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Economic Research Institute (ERI) (11.01.2022 – 06.02.2024).
Before his appointment as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, from April 2024 he was the General Director of the KAZENERGY Association.
Gabidulla Ospankulov
Speaker
Chairman of the Investment Committee
Biography
Gabidulla Ospankulov
Chairman of the Investment Committee
He graduated from the Kazakh State Law University in 2002, the Kazakhstan-Russia University in 2007, and the University of Birmingham.
He began his career in 1999 as a legal assistant at Eurasia Consulting LLP. From 2002 to 2010, he held various positions in the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and in the Office of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Parliament. From 2010 to 2019, he served as Deputy Akim (Mayor) of the city of Ekibastuz and the West Kazakhstan region, as well as holding leadership positions in the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In 2019, he was the secretary of the “NurOtan” party. From 2019 to 2020, he worked as Vice Minister of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and from 2021 to 2024, he held positions as State Inspector, Deputy Head, and Head of the Department of State Control and Organizational-Territorial Work in the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. From 2023 to 2024, he served as the First Deputy Head of the Government Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Before being appointed Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, he served as Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Ryan Chilcote
Moderator
TV presenter (CNN, Bloomberg)
Biography
Ryan Chilcote
TV presenter (CNN, Bloomberg)
Ryan Chilcote – Renowned Journalist, Moderator, and Host
Recipient of the 2023 DuPont Award and an Emmy Award nominee.
Ryan Chilcote has over 25 years of experience as an independent global commentator on international affairs and economics, as well as an international correspondent and host for Bloomberg TV, CNN, CBS, and PBS NewsHour. He is an expert in international financial markets, business, economics, trade, industry, energy, and natural resources.
Ryan Chilcote has interviewed numerous world leaders, from Vladimir Putin to the current UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
In addition to his reporting, Ryan has moderated at the most prestigious global conferences, including the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, and others.
Gokhan Bayhan
Speaker
Senior Vice President - Russia/CIS, Europe, M. East and Africa Wabtec Corporation
Biography
Gokhan Bayhan
Senior Vice President - Russia/CIS, Europe, M. East and Africa Wabtec Corporation
Education: graduated from Gannon University, has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, and Katz School of Business University of Pittsburgh, has MBA in Finance.
Work experience:
Gokhan joined GE Infrastructure - Transportation as a Renewal Parts Account Manager in 1997 and has been serving in Erie in different assignments. He worked as International NPI Marketing Manager and Locomotive Modernization Marketing Manager from 1998 to 2001. In 2001 he moved to the finance team as the Finance Manager for Service Proposals and Business Development. In 2003 he was appointed to Commercial Finance Manager for New Locomotive & Modernization Proposals. Starting in 2004 he moved to the Strategic Marketing Group and held several positions within this group including Strategic Pricing Leader for GE Transportation and the Strategic Marketing Manager for Global Locomotives Operation. He was named as Regional Sales Leader for Russia CIS and Southeast Europe in August 2007 and relocated to Istanbul, Turkey. In December 2009 he was named the General Manager of Russia, CIS, and South East Europe and in December 2012 his region was expanded to cover Europe, the Middle East, and Europe. After the February 2019 Wabtec Corporation acquisition of GE Transportation, he was named the regional leader for the same territory for Wabtec Corporation. He is currently a Senior Vice President - Russia/CIS, Europe, and Africa.
Anar Makasheva
Speaker
President of the Kazakhstan Automobile Union
Biography
Anar Makasheva
President of the Kazakhstan Automobile Union
Mission of the Union: To create a real automotive industry in Kazakhstan. The Kazakhstan Automobile Union unites official representatives of world brand manufacturers, vehicle manufacturers in Kazakhstan, auto parts producers, and companies involved in the automotive business in Kazakhstan.
Education, Qualifications, Licenses:
- Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana
- Kazakh National Technical University named after K. Satpayev, Almaty "Economics in the Oil and Gas Industry"
- Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty "World History," Specialization
- President of the Kazakhstan Automobile Union (since 2023)
- Vice President of the Kazakhstan Automotive Business Association (2016-2023)
- Managing Director of KMG Astana Motors for External Relations (since 2015)
- Marketing Department of KMG Astana Motors (2008-2014)
- Marketing Department of Hyundai Center Kazakhstan (2003-2008)
State and International Awards, Prizes, Honorary Titles:
- Order "For Contribution to the Development of the Eurasian Economic Union"
Marco Arcelli
Speaker
Chief Executive Officer ACWA Power
Biography
Marco Arcelli
Chief Executive Officer ACWA Power
Marco Arcelli is the Chief Executive Officer responsible for overseeing the strategy and operations of ACWA Power's growing global presence and ensuring its continued growth and success worldwide.
He is an experienced senior executive with over 20 years of international experience in energy and infrastructure, retail, and digital innovation. He has played a crucial role in the strategic positioning and growth of multinational companies. Marco has held various senior positions as an energy expert, including CEO of Enel Trade, EVP Upstream Gas, CEO of Enel's North American divisions, and Chairman of the Board of EP New Energy.
Marco also has in-depth knowledge of reorganization and operations, having led two corporate transformations highlighted in case studies by IESE and Harvard Business School. He is also a reviewer for the International Energy Agency.
He has also significantly contributed to public affairs and government relations by leading political negotiations at the country and EU levels. He is a staunch advocate of environmental, social, and governance issues (ESG) and has served as a member of the Audit and Human Resources Management Committee for companies listed on the stock exchange in Germany and Russia.
An active member of numerous board directors, Marco is also a mentor to organizations supporting women in business and young talent.
He received a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Genoa (Università degli Studi di Genova) in Italy and graduated from the Harvard Advanced Management Program.
Kapoor Nitin
Speaker
Vice President of Biopharmaceuticals for International and Border Markets & Chairman of AstraZeneca Vietnam
Biography
Kapoor Nitin
Vice President of Biopharmaceuticals for International and Border Markets & Chairman of AstraZeneca Vietnam
On his position at AstraZeneca, Mr. Kapoor serves as:
- Vice President of Biopharmaceuticals for International and Border Markets, overseeing an extensive and dynamic portfolio of products and initiatives.
- Chairman of AstraZeneca in Vietnam, managing the strategic direction and facilitating the growth of the company's activities.
- A key participant in various international business forums and chambers, contributing to the development and protection of international trade relations.
Mr. Kapoor's leadership has played a vital role in fostering strategic alliances and overseeing the distribution of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccines throughout the international region, ensuring equitable access to essential treatments. This key role has earned him international recognition and prestigious awards for his contributions to public health and strengthening international ties. In total, AstraZeneca has distributed 3 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine worldwide, with 86% (equivalent to 2.5 billion doses) delivered to 105 countries in the company’s international region, where Mr. Kapoor serves as Vice President overseeing the vaccine initiative.
As a proponent of public-private partnerships, Mr. Kapoor advocates for collaboration that significantly impacts public health, particularly in combating non-communicable diseases and advancing sustainable development initiatives. His forward-thinking approach continues to position AstraZeneca as a leader in global health and innovation.
Yerzhan Yelekeyev
Moderator
Chairman of the Management Board of "NC "KAZAKH INVEST" JSC
Biography
Yerzhan Yelekeyev
Chairman of the Management Board of "NC "KAZAKH INVEST" JSC
Yerzhan Elekeev was born in 1986 and is a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He graduated from the Kazakh-British Technical University with a degree in Management and the University of Glasgow with a Master of Arts in Financial Economics.
He started his career 2007 as an analyst at the Investor Relations Department at “KazMunaiGas Exploration Production” JSC.
From 2012 to 2019, he held various positions at “Samruk-Kazyna” JSC.
From 2019 to 2020, he worked as the head of the project management department at the international company “Boston Consulting Group” in Azerbaijan.
From 2020 to 2021, Mr. Yelekeyev worked as Deputy Head of the analytical group of the Center for Socio-Economic Reforms under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In 2021, he joined “Alfa-Bank Kazakhstan” JSC as the Director of the Project Office.
Since November 2022, he has been Managing Director for Asset Management and Project Management at JSC “NUH “Baiterek”.
On March 7, 2024, he was appointed Chairman of the Management Board of "NC "KAZAKH INVEST" JSC
Lars Lehmann
Speaker
EVP Central & Eastern Europe Carlsberg Group
Biography
Lars Lehmann
EVP Central & Eastern Europe Carlsberg Group
PERSONAL
Born 1966, wife and 3 children (17y, 21y, 26y)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Business leader with extensive international FMCG experience and strong track record from a variety of business challenges including partnerships and JV’s. Aggressively growing ‘sleepy’ businesses and making successful turnarounds. Ability to understand new and complex matters fast and moving quickly from strategy to execution.
Visionary with flair for innovative solutions. Good at creating clear direction with simple and impactful communication, building strong teams and an eye for talent. Strong and seasoned negotiator with core strength in sales and marketing.
EDUCATION
2015 London Business School, Corporate course CEO Development
2004 IMD Corporate course
1993-1994 Int. Advertising Association Diploma (IAA)
1990-1992 Copenhagen Business School, Master of Business Adm Int. Marketing (cand.merc.)
1991 London Business School, Int. Exchange Programme/MBA
1987-1990 Copenhagen Business School, Bachelor Business Adm. (HA)
WORK EXPERIENCE
2003- Carlsberg Group
EVP Central & Eastern Europe (Jan 2021-)
Member of Carlsberg Group’s Executive Committee (ExCom)
EVP Eastern Europe & President Baltika Breweries, Russia (May 2019-Dec 2020)
CEO Export, License & Duty Free (ExLiD, May 2008-Sep 2012)
Commercial VP Eastern Europe & BBH (April 2005-April 2008)
Commercial Dev. Director, Group Sales, Marketing & Innovation (April 2003-March 2005)
Manager for team of 10 Commercial Dev. Managers
2000-2003 Action Nordic (#1 ranked Direct Marketing agency in Nordics)
Business Unit Manager (July 2001-March 2003)
Tripled business in 3 years. Expanding with clients from Denmark to Nordic markets (SCA, Kraft) and then to Russia and Hungary
Manager for 6-8 several project managers / coordinators Project Manager (April 2000-June 2001)
Responsible for SCA (Libero, Libresse, Tena), Kraft Foods, Nestlé (baby food) and ECCO (shoes)
1992-2000 Unilever Danmark (Frisko Is)
Marketing Manager (Mar 1999-Mar 2000)
Key Account Manager (Jan 1998-Feb 1999)
Regional Sales Manager (Dec 1996-Dec 1997)
Brand Mgr. Out-of-Home Ice Cream e.g. Magnum, Cornetto, Solero (Dec 1994-Nov 1996)
Brand Mgr. In-Home Ice Cream e.g. Carte D’Or, Viennetta (June 1993-Nov 1994)
Management Trainee (Sep 1992-May 1993)
1996-1998 Niels Brock / Ishøj Handelsskole (business college)
1990-1992 Lyngby Storcenter (#1 shopping mall in DK)
Marketing Manager, temporary (Feb 1991-Aug 1991)
Finance Manager,Lyngby Storcenter Konto (Jan 1990-Jan 1991)
Andrew Deleone
Speaker
President, Africa, Middle East & Central Asia, Alstom
Biography
Andrew Deleone
President, Africa, Middle East & Central Asia, Alstom
Date of birth: 25/07/1982 (New Jersey, USA)
Education: Master’s degree in Industrial Relations (Cornell University, USA)
Work experience:
- January 2021 – now
(President, Africa, Middle East & Central Asia (AMECA) region at Alstom). - August 2019 – January 2021
(President Europe, Middle East Africa & India region at Bombardier Transportation). - May 2005 – July 2019
(Managing Director General Electric Power India, Other managing positions)
Andrew DeLeone is President, Africa, Middle East & Central Asia (AMECA) region at Alstom, appointed in January 2021.
Prior to joining Alstom, Andy was President Europe, Middle East Africa & India region at Bombardier Transportation, joining the company in August 2019. His regional responsibilities included Customer Relationship Management, Sales, Services and Project Management for Europe (Switzerland, Italy, Iberia and Nordic countries), Middle East, Africa and India.
Before Bombardier, Andy worked for General Electric’s Power business, where he gained an impressive track record of generating business growth in complex project environments and boosting financial performance in different international leadership roles. With customer satisfaction as his priority, he also has rich experience in expanding a profitable Services business. Furthermore, Andy has led large-scale transformations, optimizing organizational structures and strengthening employee engagement and accountability.
Dulatbek Ikbayev
Moderator
Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company
Biography
Dulatbek Ikbayev
Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company
Education
KIMEP University
BA. business administration and finance
Past experience
3M Kazakhstan
Finance director
Sun Drilling
Head of economic and budget-planning department
P&G Central Asia
Financial-analysis manager
About Dulatbek
Dulatbek is our Central Asian office manager. Since joining the firm, Dulatbek has supported public institutions and private-sector clients in the oil and gas, banking, and telecommunications sectors in different geographies on a wide range of issues.
With public-sector clients in central Asian and Middle East regions, Dulatbek has worked on a number of issues, including economic development of industrial, agricultural, and other sectors; supporting a tax-policy review; developing a fiscal consolidation program; helping to identify government medium-term priorities; and launching a delivery unit focused on improved implementation efficiency.
Dulatbek has served many private-sector clients in the banking, telecommunications, construction, and oil and gas sectors on a wide range of issues, including international expansion-strategy development, merger management, the full-scale transformation of a collections function, trading and risk-management strategy development, and investment-strategy development.
Before joining McKinsey, Dulatbek worked for 10 years in finance roles in several companies in the oil and gas and fast-moving-consumer-goods sectors.
A native Kazakh, Dulatbek is fluent in English and Russian.
Asel Zhanassova
Speaker
Chairman of the Management Board of JSC “Kazpost”
Biography
Asel Zhanassova
Chairman of the Management Board of JSC “Kazpost”
Education:
In 2010, she graduated from the University of Cambrigde with a degree in Computer Science (bachelor's degree).
In 2014, she received a master's degree in Computer Science, University of Cambrigde.
In 2016, she graduated with an MBA in Executive Management, Lomonosov Moscow State University.
Information on the completion of seminars and advanced training courses over the past three years:
MIT Sloan School of Management - Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy, 2020. Fintech Development Course, University of Oxford, Said Business School, 20І8.
Work experience:
From 2010 to 2014 - Head of Information Technology Security of the ENRC PLC Group, London;
From 2014 to 2015 – Deputy Director of the Information Technology Department of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
From 2016 to 2017 – Chairman of the Board of the National Infocommunication Holding "Zerde";
From 2017 to 2020 – Managing Director for Digital Technologies (CDO) of the Astana International Financial Center;
From 2020 to 2022 – Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
From October 3, 2022 to the present – Chairman of the Board of Kazpost JSC and member of the Board of Directors of “Kazpost” JSC.
Jerome Boyet
Speaker
Managing Director, Western and Central Asia, Alstom Kazakhstan
Biography
Jerome Boyet
Managing Director, Western and Central Asia, Alstom Kazakhstan
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Master degree in Business Administration
Work experience:
September 2024 – up to date – Managing Director for Western and Central Asia at Alstom Kazakhstan
2023 – September 2024 – Director at Upsilink in France
2017 – 2022 – Chief Executive Officer at TMH AFRICA
2015 – 2017 – Business Development Director at General Electric in South Africa
2011 – 2015 – Country President at Alstom South Africa
2009 – 2011 – Country President at Alstom Lybia
2007 – 2008 – Chief Executive Officer at Alcatel Tunisia
1997 – 2006 – Global Contracts Manager at Alcatel in Algeria, Iran, Qatar, France
Jérôme Boyet, Managing Director of Alstom for Western and Central Asia, brings with him a wealth of experience from a diverse career in infrastructure and industrial projects. Jérôme is focused on fostering collaboration, enhancing client relationships, and driving sustainable growth in the cluster. His leadership will be instrumental in positioning Alstom as a leader in sustainable mobility and innovation, ensuring continued success in the years to come.
Before joining Alstom, Jérôme successfully created, developed, and structured initiatives across the telecom, energy generation, and rail technology sectors. He has effectively grown business both internally and externally — often through strategic partnerships — to deliver value to public clients and key industrial accounts across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. He held significant leadership positions within renowned organizations such as General Electric (GE), Alstom, and TMH.
Throughout his career, Jérôme has led crucial project phases, including risk analysis, client engagement, tendering, and contract management, as well as deployment and operational monitoring. His expertise allows him to navigate technologically and culturally complex environments, delivering financial value even in volatile conditions.