In response to Western sanctions, Huawei, the Chinese technology giant, has shifted its focus to emerging markets, particularly in Central Asia. The recent invasion of Ukraine has prompted Huawei to strategically relocate staff from its Moscow office to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, allowing the company to navigate potential secondary sanctions while continuing its research and development (R&D) operations in Russia, The Diplomat reported.
Telecommunications Dominance in Kazakhstan
Huawei has become a key player in Kazakhstan's telecommunication sector, overshadowing competitors like Ericsson and Nokia. The company's involvement in constructing 4G networks and testing 5G technology positions it as a critical contributor to the nation's connectivity infrastructure. Huawei's aggressive policies and close ties between the Kazakh government and China have played a pivotal role in its market dominance.
Huawei's Influence in Uzbekistan
Similarly, Huawei holds a dominant position in Uzbekistan's telecommunications sector, partnering with key operators like Uztelecom, Unitel, Ucell, Perfectum Mobile, and East Telecom. The company's collaboration with Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in deploying 5G networks reflects its strategic importance in the country's technological landscape.
Educational Initiatives in Central Asia
Huawei's expansion goes beyond infrastructure, as the company invests in local talent through educational initiatives. In Kazakhstan, the number of Huawei ICT Academies is set to double, providing training for 5,000 students in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, big data, network security, wireless networks, and cybersecurity. Similarly, in Uzbekistan, Huawei's annual ICT Competition, "Seeds for the Future," aims to engage students and professionals in the ICT field.
Challenges in R&D Investment and Data Concerns
Despite Huawei's contributions to educational programs, concerns arise regarding its focus on producing administrative staff rather than fostering local research and development talent. The company's courses seem geared toward creating program trainers for foreign branches rather than nurturing R&D capabilities at home. Additionally, there are growing concerns about data security and privacy, with fears that data could flow to China, raising questions about state access and personal data protection.
Huawei's Role in Surveillance Infrastructure
Huawei's involvement in building "Safe City" infrastructure in Uzbekistan, featuring surveillance cameras with facial and license plate recognition capabilities, raises significant concerns. The company's participation in such projects has sparked worries about data duplication, VPN usage, and potential state access to personal information.
Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan aspire to position themselves as digital hubs, with Huawei playing a crucial role in supporting these ambitions. In Kazakhstan, Huawei aligns with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's initiative to train 100,000 IT specialists, contributing to potential economic benefits. However, concerns linger about the limited focus on R&D investment and potential risks associated with dependence on Huawei's surveillance technology.
Headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, Huawei Technologies Co., is a Chinese multinational technology corporation that specializes in designing, developing, manufacturing, and selling a range of products, including telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics, smart devices, and rooftop solar products.
Earlier Daryo reported that a delegation from Uzbekistan, including officials from the Ministry of Digital Technologies, Mobiuz mobile operator, Digital Government Management Center, and Uzinfocom, visited Huawei's exhibition complex in Beijing, China. The visit resulted in the signing of multiple agreements to enhance collaboration in various technology-related domains.
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