The national holding Zerde, which was supposed to be reformed, was decided to be liquidated. On August 5, the Government of Kazakhstan adopted a corresponding resolution.
National holding “Zerde” was established in July 2008 in order to promote the development of the info-communication technologies market and the implementation of breakthrough projects, the formation of a unified info-communication environment.
According to the plans, the Zerde holding was to become a development institution with the necessary set of tools for the development of the IT industry. In addition, the holding was supposed to become the leading developer of “electronic government”.
The holding included three companies – the National Information Technologies Joint Stock Company (a company for the creation and operation of the e-government infrastructure, as well as ensuring the interaction of state information systems), the Astana Hub International Technopark of IT startups (which was supposed to become the core and locomotive of the development of the ecosystem innovations of Kazakhstan and an internationally recognized hub for the development of technology business) and National Agency for the Development of Innovations “QazInnovations” JSC (development institutions in the field of technological development).
It is worth noting that the increased attention of the Kazakh society to Zerda arose even before the president’s reaction. The fact is that in January, Ainur Sergaziyeva was appointed to the post of deputy head of the Agency for Civil Service Affairs, who had previously worked as a managing director in the Zerde holding for about 4 years. In addition, judging by the photos on social networks, she was a friend (if not more) of the head of the Zerde holding Arman Abdrasilov. In itself, the fact of friendship between Sergazieva and Abdrasilov is certainly not criminal. But there are nuances.
The fact is that after the appointment of Sergazieva to such a high post, users of social networks began to carefully study her accounts. And many interesting details were found there: the official traveled to many countries, and her outfits, handbags, and jewelry, according to rough estimates, were worth several thousand, or even tens of thousands of dollars.
It should be noted that the Accounts Committee found financial violations worth $230,000 in the activities of Zerde and its subsidiaries.
By the way, Abdrasilov later wrote on social networks that he won in court in a dispute with the Accounts Committee. However, later it turned out that it was not the report itself that was disputed, but only its separate part, and even then the Accounts Committee did not agree with the court’s decision and intended to file an appeal.
On July 15, the Minister of Digital Development of Kazakhstan, Bagdat Musin, announced that as part of the reform, it is planned to completely liquidate the holding.
On July 20, the holding’s employees wrote a letter to President Tokayev, in which they expressed their disagreement with such a decision and, along the way, accused Minister Musin of incompetence:
“Most likely, the eradication of corruption through open and transparent work of unnecessary management links” was not “in hand” personally for Musin, which led to great interest in our activities,” the holding’s employees wrote.
A few days later, they sent a new appeal to the head of state, in which they said that the holding was ineffective only at the early stages of its development, and in the last two years – after the arrival of Abdrasilov – the situation has changed radically.
Moreover, thanks to Abdrasilov, it was possible to identify problem areas that generate up to $35 million in losses for the budget annually.
And an internal audit revealed damage in the amount of $41 million for 2018 – 2020.
“In 2020-2022, it was thanks to the decisive actions and systematic work of the new management of Zerda that significant positive changes were achieved in the activities of all companies of the Holding. Corruption schemes have been eradicated, there has been a transition from the policy of tribalism and favoritism to meritocracy, and large-scale personnel work has been carried out,” write the employees of the holding.
However, the exhortations did not produce the desired effect, and the holding is subject to liquidation by the decision of the government. A block of shares in three companies that are part of the holding will be transferred to the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Activities of Kazakhstan, which is headed by Bagdat Musin.
