Dubai witnessed the inauguration of the Qaz Steppe Innovation Hub at the pavilion of the Trade House of Kazakhstan, marking a stride in promoting Kazakhstani startups in the global market, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry reported.
The opening ceremony, attended by distinguished personalities including Arman Shakkaliev, Kazakhstan's Minister of Trade and Integration, and several eminent UAE dignitaries, underscored the burgeoning collaboration between the two nations in the realm of technology and entrepreneurship.
Minister Arman Shakkaliev emphasized Kazakhstan's commitment to fostering digital innovation, citing the remarkable milestone of $500mn in Kazakhstani IT services exports by the end of 2023. The establishment of a coworking center within the Trading House pavilion, initiated by the startup community, aims to harness the potential of the domestic IT sector to the fullest.
"The specialized platform, Qaz Steppe Innovation Hub, will serve as a conduit for promoting Kazakh IT services internationally, fostering synergy between Kazakhstani and UAE businesses, and enhancing the competitiveness of our IT enterprises," noted Minister Shakkaliev.
The platform has already facilitated 15 Kazakh startups in showcasing their projects to the Middle East market, engaging with representatives from 100 local and international corporations including industry giants such as EMAAR, Etisalat, Google, Microsoft, Mastercard, L'Oreal, and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. Additionally, Kazakh entrepreneurs seized the opportunity to interact with government agencies and UAE-based companies, paving the way for fruitful collaborations.
Timur Mauleshov, co-founder of Qaz Steppe Innovation Hub, hailed the entry of Kazakh startups into the UAE and Middle East markets as a catalyst for exporting high-tech solutions from Kazakhstan abroad.
"Qaz Steppe Innovation Hub epitomizes President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's vision to transform Kazakhstan into an IT powerhouse. Since 2021, Kazakh startups have attracted investments exceeding $1bn, indicative of the burgeoning technological landscape in our country," remarked Mauleshov.
Reflecting on the longstanding trade and economic ties between Kazakhstan and the UAE, Mauleshov expressed optimism about the hub's role in bolstering digital cooperation. He emphasized the platform's pivotal role in supporting Kazakh IT companies to forge partnerships, secure investments, and effectively penetrate the UAE market.
"The UAE's technological boom presents unprecedented opportunities for Kazakh specialists and startups. Qaz Steppe Innovation Hub is poised to provide comprehensive support to our entrepreneurs, facilitating their seamless integration into the thriving UAE and Middle East market," concluded Mauleshov.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)