During the “Kyrgyzstan – Kazakhstan” business forum held in Astana, the Kyrgyz delegation paid a visit to Central Asia’s largest technology park, Astana Hub. Discussions centered around fostering partnerships with hub residents and expanding the availability of Kyrgyz products in the Kazakhstani market.
The delegation, comprising officials from the public sector, tech companies, agro-industrial and agricultural enterprises, as well as producers of food items, clothing, and construction materials, familiarized themselves with the operations of the technology park. Entrepreneurs from both nations also shared insights on integrating new technologies and fostering innovation.
“Astana Hub has meticulously crafted an environment conducive to nurturing the IT community, with modern coworking spaces being a standout feature. The provision of acceleration and incubation programs further enriches the ecosystem, aiding startups and project teams in IT or the creative economy to hone their skills and gain access to venture funding. The Alem program, in particular, caught my attention for its inclusivity, offering opportunities for individuals without formal IT education to explore the field. It’s an academic initiative that welcomes anyone to test their mettle in this domain. Moreover, the keen interest expressed by technology park residents in collaborating with Kyrgyz manufacturers is noteworthy. We are committed to pursuing this avenue as it aligns with our objective of bolstering the export of domestic products,” said Urmat Takirov, Director of the State Institution “Kyrgyz Export” under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Delegates were treated to presentations by Kazakhstani IT enterprises, among them the prominent online supermarket Arbuz.kz and the Clever Market marketplace. These companies showcased their triumphant journey in retail trade and the adoption of fundamental software solutions such as CRM, WMS, and ERP for streamlining business operations. They delved into the nuances of their infrastructure and advertising mechanisms, while also shedding light on their experiences in expanding into international markets.
“With the support of the Ministry of Digitalization of the Republic of Kazakhstan, we provide comprehensive assistance not only to startups within our nation but also internationally. Presently, Astana Hub hosts 1,460 registered IT enterprises, including 403 with foreign involvement, encompassing 9 from Kyrgyzstan. They benefit from comprehensive support, ranging from business development programs to specialized tax and visa arrangements, alongside informational, educational, and infrastructural assistance. Kyrgyz startups like NBfit, Codify, Smart Technologies, and Mystory have thrived post-acceleration within our technology park and are actively broadening their horizons globally. Witnessing their strides brings us immense joy. Fostering and fortifying our collaboration is paramount, as in the global arena, we stand united as representatives of Central Asia,” emphasized Magzhan Madiev, CEO of Astana Hub.
It’s worth noting that the “Kyrgyzstan – Kazakhstan” business forum held on April 17 in Astana was strategically aligned with the official visit of the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov to Kazakhstan on April 18-19. In addition to the business forum and the engagement at Astana Hub, a series of events are slated, including a round table gathering of aksakals and creative intelligentsia, the Kyrgyz-Kazakh youth forum, and a scientific forum titled “Prospects for the Development of Science in Addressing Urgent Challenges in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.”
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