In a recent state-of-the-nation address delivered on September 1, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev unveiled an ambitious vision for Kazakhstan's IT sector, aiming to propel the nation's IT exports to $1 bn by 2026. The President's address highlighted the remarkable progress made in the country's digitization efforts and emphasized the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) and fostering a skilled workforce to achieve this goal.
President Tokayev lauded the rapid growth of Kazakhstan's domestic IT industry, noting that it had expanded its export volume fivefold in just the past year. He expressed optimism that this growth trajectory would lead to the attainment of a $500 mn export figure by the end of 2023.
A key theme in Tokayev's address was the pivotal role of AI in shaping the global economy. He highlighted projections of nearly $1 trillion in global AI investments in the coming years and asserted that this presented a substantial opportunity for Kazakhstan to boost its GDP through technological innovation. In this context, he called for the establishment of at least three prestigious universities dedicated to staff training and research in AI.
Furthermore, President Tokayev emphasized the potential for Kazakhstan to become a significant contributor to the global computing power market. He advocated for the creation of an environment conducive to investment in large data centers and the advancement of Kazakh interests in data storage and processing.
“The time has come to set the guiding principles for digital transformation into law. I call upon the administration, experts, and members of Parliament to draft a cohesive document that aligns with the logic of economic development based on scientific innovation,” declared Tokayev.
This initiative is in line with an election promise to formulate a Law on Science and Technology Policy, which is currently under review.
The president stressed that the nation should focus not only on rhetoric but also on concrete actions. This includes supporting private sector initiatives to develop innovative infrastructure such as business incubators, commercialization centers, tech parks, and design bureaus. Tokayev underscored the vital role of venture capital in supporting such endeavors, urging the government to resolve any legal and financial impediments to attract both domestic and foreign investment.
Furthermore, Tokayev expressed concern that innovation ecosystems concentrated solely in Astana and Almaty were inadequate and failed to provide opportunities for young talent in other regions. To address this, he instructed the government to establish a nationwide innovation ecosystem, building upon the existing Astana Hub model and integrating it with the broader economy.
President Tokayev's vision for Kazakhstan's IT sector signals a bold commitment to harnessing the power of technology and innovation to drive economic growth and competitiveness on the global stage.
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