Corr.: - Tell us about yourself, how your life path unfolded, about your family?

M.K.: - I was born into a large family, there were five of us, and I am the fourth child. My father worked as the director of Houses of Culture in the cities of Taraz, Zhanatas, and Merke in the Zhambyl region.

My mother is an English language teacher, she taught at school, at the Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages, and at the Kazakhstan-American University. Married, raising four children of school and preschool age.

In 2006, I graduated from the Central Asian University with a qualification in "Finance and Credit," and in 2014, I graduated from the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, obtaining a master's degree in public administration.

I started my career as a small business entrepreneur, founded my own individual entrepreneurship in 2005, which continues to operate to this day:

Types of activities:

-I am a direct distributor of the Kcell mobile operator in the Zhambyl region of the Republic of Kazakhstan, providing installation of mobile communication base stations with their maintenance, expanding the GSM communication coverage area throughout the Zhambyl region. Thanks to our efforts, today all remote settlements in the region have reliable mobile communication.

-I acquired a career in the extraction of natural stone (slate), processing and laying them according to customers' orders. Slate, as a natural stone, is in high demand among the population.

-I have warehouse premises at the site of natural stone extraction and in the cities of Almaty and Astana, which allows for prompt delivery to any point in Kazakhstan and CIS countries.

-The natural stones produced are widely used for facing inner-city squares, parks, gardens, and along bypass roads;

-I provide freight transportation and handling with my own vehicles both within Kazakhstan and beyond its borders (near and far abroad countries);

Corr.: - What did your business start with, what influenced the formation of you as a businessman?

M.K.: - Business started like most beginners, engaged in the sale of consumer goods, building materials, and foodstuffs (flour, sugar).

Gradually sought my niche for organizing a sustainable business. It wasn't easy, sometimes challenging, step by step we rose with like-minded people. It must be acknowledged that at that stage, there was good support from the government, small businesses were provided with good incentives and preferences.

Corr.: - You are a well-known businessman and developer in Kazakhstan, tell us about your latest projects?

M.K.: - I can't call myself a well-known businessman yet; currently, small and medium-sized businesses are developing steadily in Kazakhstan, and there are plenty of businessmen like me. Rather, I am one of them.

Regarding new projects, I have been studying the construction market, the country's legislation, regulatory framework, building codes, and construction procedures for a long time.

In Kazakhstan, there is a very large housing shortage; over the past few years, the country's population has been growing rapidly, with the average age slightly over 32 years, and the proportion of young people born since gaining independence is almost 20 percent.

The most pressing issue today is the question of providing young families with housing. There is a significant influx of rural youth into large cities, which is more connected to the fact that there is work there, something to do, and real opportunities to realize oneself.

That's where the idea came to engage in the construction business in one of the largest megacities, home to over 3 million people, which is the city of Almaty. Undoubtedly, today there is significant competition in the construction market, with giant companies, mid-sized ones, and newcomers like us.

Three years ago, I founded the company "Miras Green Technology Building" LLP, obtained a special license, acquired land plots in ecologically clean foothill areas of the city, and defined a concept, which involves the construction of low-rise residential buildings of comfort class.

This was also motivated by the fact that the city of Almaty is located in a seismic zone.

What do we have today? The construction process of three residential complexes is underway:

"Switzerland" Residential Complex: 8 low-rise residential buildings with basement floors, each building has 24 apartments, the residential complex consists of 168 apartments.

"Zurich" Residential Complex: consists of 6 low-rise residential buildings, totaling 144 apartments.

"Luxembourg" Residential Complex: consists of 3 low-rise buildings with 60 apartments.

Construction is ongoing in all three residential complexes, the buildings are planned to be commissioned sequentially as they are completed, the first buildings will be handed over in the first half of the current year. We intend to fully complete the construction of the started residential complexes in the first half of 2025.

This year, we are starting the implementation of a larger-scale project to build a multi-storey residential complex "Brussels" with a total area of ​​over 40 thousand square meters.

Today, the design work is underway, the issue of technical conditions for engineering networks is being worked out. It is also necessary to complete the purchase and sale of a land plot with a total area of ​​2.5 hectares, provide all the necessary preparatory work to obtain permits.

Corr.: - What modern architects or what objects inspire you as a developer? How do your projects come about and what team is behind this painstaking work?

M.K.: - Speaking of the history of modern architecture development, undoubtedly, in the world, enough unique creations of great architects have been built. I admire the works of the English architect Norman Foster, who made a significant contribution to the development of our new capital Astana.

In Astana, according to Foster's designs, four structures have been erected, which have become symbols of the capital - the Baiterek monument, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, executed in the form of a pyramid, the Library of the First President, and the Khan Shatyr shopping and entertainment center.

I won't even mention other objects located in different parts of the world, such as the Gherkin Tower in London, the Hearst Tower in New York, the Millau Viaduct in France, Wembley Stadium in London, and others. I can also mention the renowned Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, one of the authors of the development plan for the new capital of Kazakhstan.

The architecture of European cities also inspired me; it was after visiting Swiss cities that I decided to build low-rise residential buildings of comfort class, and it's not accidental that the residential complexes are named after countries and cities of Europe.

As for the team, of course, it's impossible to implement such large-scale projects alone. The team includes specialists with experience in various construction companies, in public service; there are partner companies in design, with experience in construction and installation works, specialists responsible for technical supervision, as well as specialists in specific areas of work, such as engineering networks, water supply, sewerage, electricity, heating, and others. There are consultants and experts in geology, seismicity, design, landscaping, and construction.

Corr.: - Today, Europeans are more aware of Astana, the new capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Tell us a little about the city of Almaty and its districts, where you are conducting development? What are the advantages of the real estate market in this region of the country?

M.K.: - I must say that Astana as the capital has succeeded and is a major socio-political center with a population of 1.5 million on the Eurasian continent.

Undoubtedly, the second largest city, the administrative, financial, economic, and cultural center, I would say the Business Development Center is the city of Almaty, whose population is rapidly approaching 3 million. Almaty is the jewel of Central Asia and the entire Eurasian continent.

Almaty is picturesquely situated in the foothills of the Zailiysky Alatau - the northernmost mountain range of the Tian Shan. The total area of the city is over 200 square kilometers.

It is located in the valley of the rivers Bolshaya and Malaya Almatinka and their tributaries, flowing from the glaciers of the Zailiysky Alatau and mountain gorges. Mountain rivers and lakes are the main source of water supply for Almaty. The mountain gorges hide numerous waterfalls and hot radon and sulfur springs. Many balneological resorts have been created around the springs.

In the mountainous suburbs of Almaty, scientific stations for studying the Sun and cosmic rays, astrophysical observatories on Kamenskoye Plateau and Assa Pass, sports complexes at the Medeu Ice Stadium, the Chimbulak ski resort, mountaineering and tourist camps, resorts, holiday homes, and campsites have been built.

One of the attractions is Mount Kok-Tobe, where a cable car leads from the Palace of the Republic and the Kazakhstan Hotel. The city has the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater named after Abay, the Kazakh Drama Theater named after Mukhtar Auezov, the Russian Academic Theater named after Yuri Lermontov, Uyghur, Korean theaters, the Young Spectator Theater. The city is home to the Central Park of Culture and Recreation, the Botanical Garden, cultural and entertainment centers, and shopping malls.

Almaty is a major educational center, with around 200,000 students from all over Kazakhstan and other countries (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, India, Turkmenistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Turkey, and others) studying here.

Here are located the oldest universities with high reputation: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, NARXOZ University, Turan University, Kazakh-British University, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Asfendiyarov Medical University, Almaty University of Energy, and others. In total, there are more than 35 higher education institutions and over 330 secondary schools in Almaty.

The city's territory constantly expands due to the annexation of suburban satellite cities, and the city's territory is divided into 8 independent administrative units (districts).

The city develops through large, medium, and small businesses in the fields of industry, energy, construction, trade, logistics, and most importantly, tourism. The city fully meets its needs and contributes to the Republican budget.

Favorable climatic conditions and the expansion of the territory allow for construction in the northern, eastern, and western directions in accordance with the approved General Development Plan of Almaty until 2040, which defines areas for the construction of multi-storey and low-rise residential buildings. The most important aspect in construction should be the creation of favorable conditions, with homes meeting international standards in terms of ecology and preserving the natural environment.

Corr.: - You are currently actively seeking partners and investors. What attractive features do your projects have that could be interesting for investors from Belgium and the European Union as a whole?

M.K.: - The goal of seeking investors is primarily to gain experience in building modern residential buildings that meet ecological requirements and international standards.

My company "MGTB" aims to attract investment for the construction of low-rise residential buildings in environmentally clean foothill areas of Almaty. The available land plots are my private property and are intended for the construction of residential buildings.

The land plots are located within walking distance from main roads, provided with corresponding infrastructure (preschool institutions, educational schools, clinics, markets, shopping centers, etc.).

Currently, the construction market continues to stagnate, and the pace of construction is slowing down. This is primarily due to the constant rise in construction materials (metal, cement, inert materials, electricity) and the cost of specialized equipment services, as well as the increasing cost of labor, material transportation, and the reduction in the export share, primarily due to the lack of available funds among the population - potential buyers.

To stimulate the housing market, starting from March 1, 2024, Kazakhstan will implement a new preferential mortgage program "9-20-25". Kazakhs will be offered a mortgage at a rate of 9% with a down payment of 20% and a term of 25 years. The program will be funded by funds from the Otbas Bank and the republican budget. Priority will be given to working youth. The loan can be obtained not only for ready-made housing but also for under construction. As a result, housing will be available for purchase to 8,000 families or individuals.

The Company's share in the Almaty city market structure is insignificant; therefore, it does not have a significant impact on the price per square meter of housing. Moreover, the cost per square meter of building clubhouses is quite competitive and affordable for buyers with incomes of 300 - 400 thousand tenge per month.

The main advantage of the Company is the construction of houses with fibroblocks, which can withstand a 10-point earthquake and are also heat-saving material, which is very advantageous for use in the autumn-winter period.

Additionally, our clients have the opportunity to live in more comfortable conditions closer to the ground, away from large noisy neighborhoods. It is crucial that our houses are located in the foothills of Alatau in an environmentally clean area, with good logistics from the main roads and intersections in all directions of the city.

All necessary infrastructure (schools, hospitals, kindergartens, leisure centers, markets) is available. The above advantages indicate that apartments in the under-construction residential complexes will be sold in the shortest possible time, and in the future, living in low-rise clubhouses away from the urban hustle and bustle will be comfortable.

In the future, the Company intends to adhere to the Concept of building low-rise clubhouses with more comfortable conditions. The construction of a ring road in the city of Almaty allows for the implementation of such houses along and beyond the line of these roads by creating small neighborhoods for joint living in an environmentally clean area.

Building low-rise residential houses is profitable when there are turnover funds (guaranteed investments), and the determining factor is the speed and timing of construction.

I invite investors for joint earnings and construction of houses to generate profits!

For cooperation inquiries, please contact:

+44 7533 600 177, Oleg Kozerod.

Office in Kazakhstan: 

+7 (702) 588-44-77,

 +7 (702) 988-77-77.

Corr.: - Thank you very much for the interview!

M.K.: - Thank you.