Shymkent is one of the leading economic centers of Kazakhstan, where projects in the petrochemical, machine-building, manufacturing, construction, and food industries are actively developing. The Development Bank of Kazakhstan plays a crucial role in supporting key projects in the region, contributing to the growth of industrial and export potential.
One of the major projects is the construction of a plant for the production of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) by Shymkent chemical company LLP. The project began in 2019, with a total cost of 13.7 billion tenge, of which 9 billion tenge were provided by DBK. The plant has become a significant breakthrough for the petrochemical industry in the region.
For comparison, there was previously only one MTBE production plant in the country, with a capacity of 20,000 tons per year. The new plant has an annual output of 57,000 tons of finished product, nearly three times higher than the previous one. According to the latest data for 2024, the company’s workforce has grown to 132 employees. Shymkent chemical company LLP successfully exports MTBE to CIS countries, including Russia, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, as well as to Lithuania and Iran.
In 2017, DBK also supported the modernization and reconstruction of the Shymkent Oil Refinery LLP, carried out by PetroKazakhstan Oil Products LLP. The total cost of the project was $1.9 billion, with $932 million provided by the Bank. The Shymkent Oil Refinery LLP produces 30% of the country’s total petroleum products and is the only refinery in Kazakhstan’s most populous region, the South Kazakhstan Region.
After the completion of a large-scale modernization and reconstruction project in 2018, the plant’s design capacity increased to 6 million tons per year. The fuel quality now meets K5 standards. The plant produces a wide range of petroleum products, including automobile gasoline, diesel fuel, jet kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas, and other products. Fuel oil is also produced and exported to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, European countries.
PetroKazakhstan Oil Products LLP employs over 2,000 people, including both local and international experts. The company provides social benefits, honors its obligations to employees through the Collective Agreement, and implements social projects in the region. PetroKazakhstan Oil Products LLP offers a professional development program for employees across various categories. Special attention is given to training young professionals, with a mentoring program for college and university students, as well as the organization of work experience internships and dual training opportunities.
As part of the development of the machine-building industry, DBK supported the construction of a power transformer production plant by Asia Trafo LLP in 2017. The total cost of the project was 19.1 billion tenge, with DBK’s participation amounting to 8.6 billion tenge. Asia Trafo LLP is the largest manufacturer of transformer equipment in Central Asia, specializing in the production of oil-filled power transformers and autotransformers with voltage classes of 110, 220, and 500 kilovolts, capacities of up to 500 MVA, as well as reactors.
The design capacity of the plant exceeds 12,000 MVA per year, making it a unique enterprise not only in Kazakhstan but also in Central Asia. It has become a key player in the development of Kazakhstan's machine-building sector and contributes to strengthening the country's energy infrastructure by producing world-class products. These products are exported to Russia and other Eastern European countries. As of 2024, the number of employees at Asia Trafo LLP stands at 195.
Standard Cement LLP is one of the largest and most capital-intensive projects in Southern Kazakhstan. In 2023, DBK financed the company’s pre-export operations with a loan of 3 billion tenge. The plant has a production capacity of 2 million tons of cement per year and produces a wide range of products, including cement used in the construction of military and aerospace facilities, as well as subways.
One of the unique features of the plant is its use of the environmentally friendly "dry" method of cement production, which significantly reduces energy costs (by almost 1.5-2 times) and minimizes emissions into the atmosphere. The plant is equipped with powerful three-level dust-collecting electrostatic precipitators and a 51-bag filter, which eliminates any environmental impact. The company provides construction materials not only to the cities of Uralsk, Atyrau, Aktau, and Aktobe but also exports products to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. According to the latest data for 2024, the plant has created 862 jobs.
DBK has played a key role in the development of the food industry in Shymkent. In 2017, DBK provided Shymkentmai JSC with 3 billion tenge, and to support the expansion of production and increase exports, the credit line was raised to 4 billion tenge in 2020. Shymkentmai JSC is one of the largest producers of vegetable oils, soap, and feed products in Kazakhstan. The company's products are primarily sold in the South Kazakhstan Region, including the cities of Shymkent, Taraz, Turkestan, Saryagash, and Almaty, Turkestan and Almaty region. Internationally, Shymkentmai JSC exports its products to Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, and the United Arab Emirates. As of 2024, the company employs 659 people.
The enterprises not only ensure stable employment but also create new opportunities for domestic products to access international markets, including Europe, the CIS, and Asia. With the support of DBK, Shymkent is demonstrating how advanced technologies, environmental sustainability, and effective management can drive long-term growth.
For more information about the Development Bank of Kazakhstan, please visit our website – www.kdb.kz.
Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC (subsidiary of National Management Holding Baiterek JSC), a national development institution specializing in financing and development of large-scale infrastructure and industrial facilities in Kazakhstan.
