The Government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov discussed the development of the digital industry in Kazakhstan.
Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Jaslan Madiyev reported on the ongoing work to increase the volume of IT exports, improve the security of digital platforms and the implementation of domestic startups within the framework of Astana Hub activities, as well as the heads of the IT hub "Terricon Valley" Sabir Niyazov, Arlan BioTech companies Bolat Sultankulov, ITS Partner Ltd – Marat Tastemirov.
Kazakhstan is one of the 30 most digitized countries in the world and ranks 8th in terms of online services provided. In the 1st half of 2024, the export of IT services increased to $306 million. It is expected that by the end of this year the volume will exceed $600 million. At the same time, in general, exports have increased 20 times in 5 years. Robotization and artificial intelligence technologies are systematically developing in the country today, and the digital transformation of many spheres continues.
The legislative framework has been formed and is constantly being improved. The Concept of digital transformation has been adopted, and favorable economic conditions have been created for the development of the venture market and startup ecosystems. More than 1.5 thousand companies are successfully operating on the site of the Astana Hub Technopark, which has become a real innovation cluster and a key partner for many startups. Breakthrough projects such as E-commerce, BigData, GameDev, Fintech, MedTech, etc. have high export potential. Their active development should contribute to the growth of exports of IT products and services to $1 billion by 2026.
The Prime Minister noted that the Government will continue to actively support the development of IT technologies and services. It is necessary to continue the policy of developing regional acceleration programs and a global partner network in other countries.
"The Head of State has set a goal to bring the contribution of digital technologies to the economy to 1% by 2029 and achieve at least 80% of the share of local content in IT services. The main drivers in achieving this goal should be IT hubs and venture capital funds. In 6 years, the volume of venture financing in Kazakhstan has increased by more than 6 times. For further growth, we must attract leading experts in this industry. To do this, it is necessary to further develop educational programs, attract large businesses and build a competent digital infrastructure. The implementation of the tasks of digitalization, the development of the IT industry and ensuring cybersecurity should contribute to the development of the economy," Olzhas Bektenov stressed.
As part of the tasks set by the President for the development of artificial intelligence, active work is underway to improve legislation in this area. Next year, it is planned to launch an Artificial Intelligence Center in Astana, which should become a point of attraction for young talents. The Ministry of Digitalization has been instructed to keep this issue under special control.
The priority task for today is the training of highly qualified specialists in the IT industry. The necessary conditions have been created at the Astana Hub sites. The Ministries of Digital Development, Science and Higher Education, education were instructed to form a concept for further development and training in close cooperation with Astana Hub and regional hubs. At the same time, the importance is indicated not by the number of graduates, but by the quality of their training. Approaches to improving digital knowledge and skills should also be constantly updated, taking into account the best international techniques.
In addition, for the full provision of digital infrastructure in the regions, due attention to these issues from the akimats is necessary. The relevant ministry, together with the akimats of the regions, was instructed to take measures to develop Astana Hub, support regional hubs and create favorable conditions for the development of export-oriented areas in the IT industry, as well as update approaches in the venture financing system.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mdai/press/news/details/890665