Alikhan Smailov was born on December 18, 1972 in Almaty. He graduated in 1994 from the Faculty of Mechanics and Applied Mathematics of the al-Farabi Kazakh State National University majoring in applied mathematics, in 1996 he received a master's degree in public administration from KIMEP.
After graduation, Alikhan began working at the State Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Statistics and Analysis.
During the period of relocation of government bodies to the city of Astana, as a specialist versed in economic statistics and analysis, he was invited to work in the economic block of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where he worked as a chief expert and then head of the economic sector of the socio-economic analysis department. Taking into account Smailov’s abilities, the leadership of the Presidential Administration appoints him State Inspector of the Organizational and Control Department, where he oversees the Kyzylorda region and the work of economic ministries.
In November 1999, Alikhan was appointed Chairman of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Statistics.
In February 2003, by way of personnel rotation, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where he oversees the countries of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as the work of the economic sector.
In the same year in July, the Government decides to create JSC “State Insurance Corporation for Insurance of Export Credits and Investments among the development institutions” and appoints Alikhan Smailov as Chairman of the Board.
Twice Alikhan was appointed Vice Minister of Finance, in 2006 and 2008, he oversaw issues of improving accounting and auditing in the country, the public procurement system, financial statistics, financial and customs control and others.
Alikhan has the diplomatic rank of Advisor, First Class. For his contribution to the socio-economic development of the country, he was awarded the “Eren Enbegi Ushin” medal and anniversary medals.