Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have been rapidly developing their IT sectors in recent years. In Uzbekistan, the IT sphere also experienced substantial growth, with IT Park's residents registering a notable increase in export volume, reaching $344mn in 2023, marking a 2.4-fold growth compared to the previous year's $140mn. Meanwhile, in Kazakhstan, the IT sector has witnessed remarkable growth in exports, with figures skyrocketing from $50mn in 2020 to over $500mn in 2023, with $315mn of it accounting for Astana Hub's residents.
In Kazakhstan's case this represents a tenfold increase over just three years, underscoring the sector's rapid expansion. Specifically, Astana Hub, a key player in Kazakhstan's IT landscape, saw its residents export $630.9mn over five years, with $315mn achieved in 2023 alone.
Market Presence and Exports:
IT Park in Uzbekistan housed 1,652 resident companies by the end of 2023, with services predominantly utilized by customers from the US, UK, EU, and CIS countries. This allowed the company to employ over 26,000 individuals in 2023. Residents of IT Park include 426 companies with foreign capital participation, providing services amounting to $1bn, with an export value of $344mn.
In comparison, Astana Hub residents constitute about 60% of Kazakhstan's IT market, playing a significant role in the country's IT export landscape. Notably, in the first half of 2023, Astana Hub residents accounted for $145.2mn out of the country's total IT exports of $247mn. Moreover, Kazakhstani IT companies exported services to 86 countries, with the USA, Russia, and Ireland emerging as the top destinations.
Company Composition and Contribution:
In Kazakhstan, the majority of Astana Hub participants engaged in exports are service companies, particularly those offering software development solutions across various sectors. Additionally, in 2023, 205 companies affiliated with Astana Hub exported products, diversifying into e-commerce, data science, game development, and other fields.
Similarly, in Uzbekistan, IT Park residents contributed significantly to the economy, providing services worth UZS 12.5 trillion ($1bn). The composition of IT Park residents includes service companies, product companies, educational companies, and firms with foreign capital.
Collaborative Initiatives and Future Outlook:
Both countries have actively fostered collaborative initiatives to fuel the growth of their respective IT sectors. Uzbekistan has seen collaborative efforts through IT Park, with the launch of specialized acceleration programs and initiatives like the Silkroad Innovation Hub. Looking ahead, both countries are optimistic about further growth, with Kazakhstan targeting $1bn in export earnings and Uzbekistan's IT sector poised for continued expansion, backed by supportive ecosystems and international partnerships.
In Kazakhstan, partnerships with global entities such as Google for Startups and Draper University, along with the establishment of the Silkroad Innovation Hub, have played a pivotal role. Similarly, in Kazakhstan, partnerships with global entities such as Google for Startups and Draper University, along with the establishment of Silkroad Innovation Hub, have played a pivotal role.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)