The Almaty Regional Communications Service held a press conference summarizing the work of the Almaty Department of the Agency for the Protection and Development of Competition of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2025. Nurzhan Nurlanuly, head of the department, discussed key results, identified violations, and measures to promote fair competition. The focus was on protecting the rights of consumers and entrepreneurs, as well as reducing the risks of abuse in the city's commodity markets.

According to the speaker, the antimonopoly authority's primary objectives remain promoting competition and preventing and combating violations of the law. To this end, the department conducts market analyses, issues notices and orders, conducts investigations, and, if necessary, takes legal action, as well as coordinating the establishment and operation of state-owned enterprises.

"Our work is aimed not only at identifying violations but also at preventing them. We analyze markets, assess the level of competition, and proactively respond if we see risks of dominance or restricted access for businesses and consumers. This approach allows us to systematically improve the market environment," noted Nurzhan Nurlanuly.

In 2025, the department completed 14 analyses of competition in Almaty's commodity markets. These included the wholesale and retail markets for aviation fuel, primary housing sales, and wholesale electricity sales. As a result, 23 notifications and 6 orders were issued, 16 investigations were completed, and 16 administrative violation cases were initiated. The total amount of fines imposed and collected exceeded 4.6 billion tenge. The main response measures were taken in response to nine cases of abuse of a dominant or monopolistic position.

During the press conference, Nurzhan Nurlanuly cited several examples, emphasizing that the department operates strictly within the law and legal procedures. For example, based on consumer complaints, the company Alseko's activities regarding the generation of utility bills were investigated. The investigation resulted in a legal position that has already been upheld in the court of first instance, and the legal proceedings are ongoing.

"It's crucial for us that the interests of residents and businesses are protected. If the court ultimately upholds our position, it will protect the rights of all city consumers. We act carefully and strictly within the legal framework," the department head emphasized.

Issues related to the electricity, air travel, laboratory services, and heat supply markets were also examined. In some cases, the department identified conditions that could create additional financial burdens on entrepreneurs or infringe on consumer rights. Notifications were issued to a number of companies, some violations were resolved pre-trial, and investigations into other cases are ongoing.

In particular, the measures taken have reduced the cost of reconnecting to heating energy for Almaty residents by excluding profit from the tariff, and also adjusted contractual terms in the laboratory services market, expanding opportunities for fair competition.

"Antitrust regulation isn't about punishment for the sake of punishment. It's about balancing interests, transparent rules of the game, and a level playing field for all market participants. Our goal is for both businesses and consumers to feel protected and trust the system," Nurzhan Nurlanuly concluded.

The department emphasized that work to develop competition and protect consumer rights in Almaty will continue, taking into account market analysis, judicial practice, and citizen appeals.