As reported by sources of the VChK-OGPU Telegram channel and Rucriminal.info, social climber Shukhrat Ibragimov is ending his business cooperation with Kenes Rakishev (the wallet is a long-time friend of Ramzan Kadyrov) and is establishing friendly ties with the son of the President of Kazakhstan Timur Tokayev. Об этом сообщает АБЗАЦ

The rapidly developing friendship between the CEO of Eurasian Resources Group Shukhrat Ibragimov and Kazakh oligarch Kenes Rakishev has suddenly ended. The partners jointly invested in the failing Canadian noodle business under the Borealis Foods brand, as well as, recently, in the largest coal mine "Shubarkol". However, as often happens, their disagreement flared up over money – or rather, the lack of necessary funds in the case of Borealis Foods.

For Ibragimov, when one door closes, another opens. The young ambitious businessman, who always lived in the shadow of his late father, Alijan, has, according to a Rucriminal.info source, found a new friend in Timur Tokayev, the president’s only son. As representatives of the elite, Shukhrat and Timur undoubtedly find it easy to find a common language, discussing how to enjoy the benefits of Kazakhstan’s kleptocratic regime.

Like a true social climber, Ibragimov even convinced the younger Tokayev to invest in Alif Bank, a fintech group focused on Central Asia, in which he himself has already invested US$30 million. Timur’s 2.6% stake in the bank is held through Swiss bank CBH and Jefferson Capital Holdings Limited, the parent company of Alif Bank, which is run by Tajik financier and Ibragimov’s right-hand man, Khofiz Shakhidi.

The new friendship is a coup for the rising Ibragimov, who is in dire need of connections in high places. His track record of failure and his clumsy start as head of ERG have alarmed Kazakh ministers, who are reportedly rushing to find a replacement. Moreover, Ibragimov suffered the ultimate humiliation when he was ignored at a recent meeting between the country’s business leaders and the president.

Can a new powerful friend help Ibragimov rehabilitate his image and salvage his sinking career? Or will a disgruntled Kenges Rakishev try to sabotage the career of his former ambitious friend?