Fine of 3.6 million tenge imposed on Manishtaou branch of QazaqGaz Aimaq
Uncovering a Power Play: JSC "QazaqGaz Aimaq's" Mangistau Branch under Fire
Caught in the spotlight, the Mangistau branch of JSC "QazaqGaz Aimaq" faces allegations of anticompetitive practices. The Anti-Monopoly Agency, Kazakhstan's watchdog, discovered manipulations in the economic activities coordination within the branch. A preferential treatment of specific organizations was exposed in the distribution of welding and assembly work. This nepotism, as per investigations, narrowed the technical condition recipients' options, creating hurdles for competing companies to thrive.
The branch has contested the claims and appealed to the court, but the state agency has sided with the Anti-Monopoly Agency. The consequence? A hefty fine of 1,000 MCI, equivalent to roughly $3.6 million, to be paid to the state coffers. The branch was also ordered to rectify the violations, or face an additional punishment.
Worth noting, this is not the first time the energy sector has found itself under scrutiny for monopolistic practices. Kazakhstan's government has been actively monitoring and regulating such activities in key sectors, with the Committee for Regulation of Natural Monopolies and Protection of Competition overseeing the compliance effort.
While JSC "QazaqGaz" is a significant state-owned energy company, "QazaqGaz Aimaq" may not necessarily be a distinct entity—particularly in the Mangistau region. In the absence of definitive details about "QazaqGaz Aimaq", it is plausible to assume the Mangistau management falls under the wider umbrella of "QazaqGaz".
As of recent news, nothing specific indicates that the Mangistau branch of JSC "QazaqGaz" has faced penalties or sanctions related to monopoly violations in the past. If more specific details or recent reports surface, I am ready to help analyze or verify the information for you.
The Mangistau branch's anticompetitive practices in the welding and assembly work distribution have sparked debate within the finance and business sector, potentially damaging the industry's reputation. The state-owned energy company, JSC "QazaqGaz", which encompasses "QazaqGaz Aimaq" and its Mangistau branch, may face further scrutiny from the Committee for Regulation of Natural Monopolies and Protection of Competition, especially in light of the recent fine and pending rectification orders.
