According to Minister Madiev, Kazakhstan’s export of IT services grew by 24% ($306 million) in the first half of 2024. More than 1,500 companies are currently part of Astana Hub, including 400 with foreign participation.

The Prime Minister highlighted a number of Kazakhstani projects—such as Alaqan, Codiplay, CITIX, CEREBRA, OGames, Parqour, and ApartX—that have proven themselves in foreign markets, including in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, and elsewhere. He noted several key priorities for further growth in IT service exports.

“The President has set the goal of raising IT exports to $1 billion by 2026. To achieve this, we are creating the necessary infrastructure and providing support to businesses in this sector. As a result, over the past five years, Kazakhstan’s IT export volume has increased more than twentyfold. Future efforts to expand exports of IT services and products must focus on enhancing accelerator programs in the regions and broadening the circle of partner investors. Regional IT hubs and venture funds should serve as the main drivers,” said Olzhas Bektenov.

The Prime Minister cited Astana Hub as an example, noting how it has become an innovation cluster and a key partner for many startups. Residents of the technopark enjoy tax and visa benefits, as well as informational and educational support programs for business development. The Ministry of Digital Development, together with regional akimats (local administrations), has been tasked with formulating a roadmap for supporting regional IT hubs, following the models of Astana Hub and the Karaganda Technological “Terricon Valley.” Akimats were instructed to promptly address funding and support issues for these regional hubs.

The Ministry of Digital Development must complete the establishment and licensing of the Qazaqstan Venture Group management company by the end of March. Prime Minister Bektenov emphasized that to provide financial support to domestic startups, the creation of a venture fund must be expedited, with the aim of reaching $1 billion in capital by the end of 2025.

Additionally, all procedures for conducting research and development must be digitized. The Prime Minister noted that a relevant platform is already operational. Government agencies, quasi-governmental entities, and subsoil users need to be integrated into the platform to increase demand for domestic innovations and facilitate their entry into international markets.

Equally important is boosting awareness of technological entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan’s regions and creating conditions to enhance the expertise of local specialists through regional IT hubs. The Ministry of Digital Development, in cooperation with relevant government agencies, has been tasked with updating state support measures for IT companies focused on exporting services and products.

Source: Official Information Resource of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan