In an attempt to establish an equity investment culture in Kazakhstan, the authorities in Astana have announced plans to launch a series of initial public offerings in state-controlled companies, in the hope of attracting widespread interest from ordinary local citizens.
The plan envisages stakes in electricity grid company Kegoc, postal operator Kazpost and Samruk-Energo, the power generation arm of sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna, being floated by the end of the year. Stakes in national oil and gas company KazMunaiGas, uranium miner Kazatomprom and national rail monopoly Kazakhstan Temir Zholy could be offloaded in 2012 or 2013.
