In Astana, the Regional GovStack Forum has kicked off: on the path to accelerating the transformation of digital governance. The event was attended by speakers from the International Telecommunication Union, leaders of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, and employees of "National Information Technologies" JSC, as well as representatives of government agencies from CIS countries. Forum guests were presented with Kazakhstani digital services.

Vice Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kanys Tuleushin spoke about Kazakhstan's digital ecosystem and IT service exports.

In his speech, Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau of the ITU, noted the high level of digitization of Kazakhstan in the provision of government services.

"Let me reiterate my gratitude and congratulations to the Government of Kazakhstan and to Minister Mussin, for championing and shining the digital torch across the region.  Kazakhstan has over 33 digital documents in eGov mobile app and over 1,200 different public services available online. As such, Kazakhstan leads our GovStack programme through regional cooperation, by sharing good practices and promoting the reusability of different digital public goods to accelerate government services according to country needs," said Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau, ITU.

Earlier, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, represented by "National Information Technologies" JSC, the Eurasian Development Bank, and the International Telecommunication Union announced a strategic partnership to finance the GovStack project - an innovative initiative aimed at developing e-government in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

GovStack is an ambitious project aimed at creating an integrated technological platform for e-government, which will be applied in CIS countries. The platform will be developed taking into account the unique needs of the region and implemented jointly with local government agencies to improve the quality of government services and ensure effective interaction between citizens and the state.

The goal of the GovStack project is to increase the efficiency and transparency of public administration in CIS countries, as well as to provide broader access for citizens to government services through modern digital platforms.

PRESS SERVICE OF MDDIAI

On March 26-27 2024, the ITU Regional Development Forum for the CIS Region was held in Astana.

The event was attended by the Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, BagdatMussin, the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau of the ITU, Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, the UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan, Michaela Friberg-Storey, the Director-General of the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC), Alexey Borodin, representatives of ITU member states, and others.

"Today, we conclude an important event that has become a significant step in our pursuit of digital progress and improving the quality of life for our citizens in the regions. During the forum, we held many interesting discussions, exchanged experiences, and formulated new ideas for the development of our societies and enhancing the competitiveness of our regions," shared AskhatOrazbek, Vice Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, at the closing ceremony.

Within the framework of the forum, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan represented by "National Information Technologies" JSC, the Eurasian Development Bank, and the International Telecommunication Union have announced a strategic partnership to finance the GovStack project - an innovative initiative aimed at developing e-government in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.

GovStack is an ambitious project aimed at creating an integrated technological platform for e-government, which will be applied in CIS countries. The platform will be developed taking into account the unique needs of the region and implemented jointly with local government agencies to improve the quality of government services and ensure effective interaction between citizens and the state.

The goal of the GovStack project is to increase the efficiency and transparency of public administration in CIS countries, as well as to provide broader access for citizens to government services through modern digital platforms.

"It is my pleasure to announce our agreement to develop and implement a GovStack regional project, with the objective to provide governments and public institutions in Central Asia and Caucasus countries with access to better knowledge, resources, and tools to achieve digital transformation. This will improve the coverage, quality, and accessibility of Sustainable Development Goal-related social services in the region, thus accelerating progress towards the achievement of the SDGs. I am confident that this project will positively impactpeople the region. I applaud the commitment of Kazakhstan and the Eurasian Development Bank to this cooperation and openness to share and contribute resources and expertise to GovStack, " noted Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau of the ITU.

As an international organization, the ITU contributes to cooperation among countries in the field of telecommunications and information technologies, aimed at uniting their efforts and providing support in the development of GovTech. With its global experience and rich expertise, the ITU will facilitate this process. On the other hand, the EDB, a financial organization focused on supporting sustainable economic development in the region, will provide financial assistance for the successful implementation of this project.

JSC "NIT" of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as a leading company in the field of e-government construction, will take the lead in technical implementation based on its extensive experience in information technology and software development for the public sector.

PRESS SERVICE OF MDDIAI

The ITU Regional Development  Forum for the CIS Region has commenced its work in Astana. The event was attended by Bagdat Mussin, the Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, the Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, Michaela Friberg-Storey, the UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan, Alexey Borodin, the Director General of the Regional Commonwealth in the field of Communications (RCC), representatives of ITU Member States, and others.

Bagdat Mussin, the Minister of Digital Development, noted that the Forum would become one of the productive platforms for generating successful cases, promoting "digital diplomacy," exchanging experiences, discussing new technologies, and developing joint strategies for the digital economy.

"We are working towards positioning our country as a regional digital hub. For this purpose, we have numerous projects. We are always open and ready to support effective and practical proposals that create favorable and quality living conditions for the people of our countries at all stages of implementing such projects. Together, we can overcome challenges and realize the potential of digital technologies in our countries," noted Bagdat Mussin.

In turn, Dr Zavazava, the Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, emphasized the importance of this event and Kazakhstan's achievements in digitalization.

"I take this opportunity to congratulate Kazakhstan for being one of the world's trailblazers in all aspects of digitalization. Thank you for your partnership, for sharing your experiences, and for your leadership role in the region on digital issues.” He continued by saying: “Our objective is clear: we must make an impact, and we are committed to ensuring that no one is left offline, in the CIS region and in the world.”

Regional Development Forum contribute to strengthening multilateral partnerships between Member States, industry enterprises, academic organizations, civil society, the UN system, as well as regional and international development institutions and organizations in the field of telecommunications and ICT on specific regional development issues.

The ITU Regional Development Forum for the CIS Region provides an opportunity for Member States of the ITU, Sector Members, partners, and other stakeholders to exchange views.

The main goal is to translate promises into concrete commitments that will lead to the implementation of effective projects in line with the priorities outlined in the Kigali Action Plan, including regional initiatives.

Also, within the framework of the Forum, there will be panel sessions, discussions, and roundtable discussions on topics such as achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through digital technologies, the development of smart cities, cybersecurity, and personal data protection. The Forum will take place over two days: March 26-27, 2024, in Astana.

PRESS SERVICE OF MDDIAI

The Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry is pleased to announce that Google launches YouTube Premium in Kazakhstan, unlocking new opportunities for users and content creators alike.

This event marks a significant step in the country's digital infrastructure and its integration into the global network.

During a working visit in March of last year, Bagdat Musin met with Adam Smith, YouTube's Vice President of Product Management, in Silicon Valley, discussing the service's launch.

With YouTube Premium, users gain unlimited access to ad-free videos and music, the ability to download content for offline viewing, and play in the background while using other apps, among other features. Additionally, plans are underway to discuss the development of the digital economy and support for local content creators in Kazakhstan.

The Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry, Bagdat Musin summarized the outcomes of the first two days of Digital Almaty-2024 at the forum, conducting a briefing on the platform.

The head of the Ministry of Digital Development noted that Kazakhstan ranks 8th in the world in the development of online services. By the end of 2023, 50 million services will be provided online, and citizens will receive 92% of services without leaving their homes.

"We now have a huge e-government ecosystem that includes government portals, and banking applications and is starting to include other services and startups. As a government, we provide many tools for creating products and services. As one of the leaders in Govtech, we see a responsibility to share our skills and even finished products," said Bagdat Mussin.

According to the results of the first two days, the Digital Almaty-2024 Forum was visited by more than 20 thousand people. On the final day, 14 panel sessions with the participation of IT industry experts are planned, as well as the signing of 4 memorandums.

As part of the Forum, a plenary session of the EAEU was held with the participation of the heads of government of Kazakhstan, Belarus, Russia, and Uzbekistan. In his speech, Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov noted that today we are witnessing the rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies, robotization, and digital transformation of human life processes.

"Let's remember the past. I had to spend a lot of time getting documents in paper form. Today, digitalization has optimized all these processes. More than 90% of government services are now available electronically. Thanks to the Digital Family Card, the data of 6.3 million Kazakh families have been digitized. In general, 40 types of government services are provided in a proactive format," the Prime Minister said.

Alikhan Smailov shared Kazakhstan's plans to become a key participant in the "Silk Road" of the digital world. To solve the problem of qualified IT personnel, the TechOrda program was launched, which allows people aged 18-45 to learn a new IT profession in the shortest possible time. To date, more than 6,000 people have received IT training.

At the same time, 29 panel discussions were held. Nearly 300 speakers are expected to take part in the business program, including 70 foreign experts. Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Bagdat Mussin attended several sessions.

The vice-ministers of defense, health, science and higher education, and labor and social protection shared their achievements in automating services in the public sector. As a result, Kazakhstanis can now apply to a university without leaving home, obtain an educational deferment from the army, find a job, make an appointment at a clinic, register a property, apply for a digital mortgage, etc.

During the panel sessions, foreign experts shared their experiences of digital transformation. Among them were Nuriya Kutnayeva, Minister of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic; Salima Bah, Minister of Communications, Technology and Innovation of the Government of Sierra Leone; Jacob Ibrahim, Professor at the Singapore Institute of Technology; Giovanni Everduin, Director of Strategy and Innovation, Head of Venture Bank International Commercial Bank (UAE); Mohammed Alarifi, General Manager for Startup Support at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia; and Robert Opp, Director of Digital Technologies at the United Nations Development Programme.

Also participating in the forum were Senior Executive Vice President of TusHoldings, TusPark Hebert Hongbo Chen, Chief Operating Officer of T-Hub (India) Anish Anthony, International Relations Specialist of the Center for Progress and Development of Iran under the Presidential Administration Ahmadinia Masoud, and others.

Kazakh experts also spoke about achievements in digitalization: Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Holding Corporation Timur Turlov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kcell JSC Askhat Uzbekov, General Director of White Hill Capital Aslan Sultanov, Executive Director of the Republican Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises Nikolay Radostovets, etc.

In addition to discussion platforms for the guests of the event, there will be an exhibition where digital projects of about 230 domestic and international IT companies will be presented, as well as leading international experts on digitalization, including such "mature" companies as Freedom Bank, Yandex, KCell, Tele2, young startups Sergek, Target Ai, Awara, Med365, IKOD, Datanomix, Intellect Service, Documentolog, Robotics Education, Alabs, BTS Digital, Axellero, Artson Build Invest, etc also presented their projects.

The Digital Almaty-2024 platform has become a great opportunity to establish partnerships and exchange experiences in the field of digitalization. About 60 meetings in B2B format and more than 50 pitching sessions between subsoil users and start-ups took place here.

Representatives of the Sergek Group company spoke about the launch of a joint pilot project in Indonesia. Kazakh specialists will export their solutions, such as an intelligent transport system for analysis, monitoring, and traffic forecasting, as well as solutions in the field of ecology and road safety.

Based on the results of the first two days, some 30 memoranda of understanding were signed. Freedom Holding Corp. signed a memorandum with the Executive Directorate of the International Fund for the Saving of the Aral Sea. During the forum, Timur Turlov presented the project "Eco-cards in support of the Aral Sea", the main idea of which is to transfer 10 percent cashback to the fund for saving the disappearing sea.

Cryptocurrency infrastructure provider Binance Kazakhstan has signed a memorandum of understanding with leading Kazakh startup Biometric.vision. Using Biometric.vision's technology, Kazakhstanis can now register and undergo identity verification without having to provide physical documents.

On the forum’s final day, the largest Industry 4.0 Startup Battle with a total prize fund of $180,000 will be held at the Digital Almaty-2024 site. 30 industrial startups will compete for several prizes from the Battle's partners, including a trip to MINEXPO in Las Vegas.

It should be noted that the forum also attracted a lot of interest from the public and journalists. In the first two days, about 500 materials were published in the media and about 2,000 mentions of the Digital Almaty-2024 Forum were made on social networks.

General partner: Freedom Bank

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Press service of MDDIAI

As part of the VI Digital Forum Digital Almaty 2024: "Industry X: Digital Evolution of the Future," a panel session on the topic "Quality of Communication and Tariff Increases" took place. 

Participants included a Professor from the National University of Singapore, the Chairman of the Committee on Telecommunications of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Deputy Chairman of the Agency for Protection and Development of Competition of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Chief Innovation Officer of JSC "Kazakhtelecom," as well as representatives from mobile operators. 

The panel session began with discussions about the "250+" project, where mobile operators created infrastructure for high-speed mobile internet access in villages with populations of 250 or more.

"Last year, a strategic document was approved - the National Project 'Accessible Internet,' aimed at developing the telecommunications industry. Within this project, access to optical internet is planned for 3000 villages. We are implementing a subsidy program called 'Last Mile' in collaboration with the World Bank, covering small and medium-sized operators. There is also a task to provide communication infrastructure for regional and republican roads. The task of deploying 3,500 base stations by 2027 has been accelerated by the Head of State's instruction to 2025. We plan to discuss this issue with the relevant authorities to continue providing a 90% discount to telecom operators," noted Erzhan Meiramov, Chairman of the Committee on Telecommunications.

The participants then discussed key aspects of 5G technology and its implementation perspectives. Speakers shared their expert opinions and discussed the issue of balancing competition in the industry.

"Last year, we completed an analysis, identifying three entities that hold dominant positions. Two of them are state-owned, belonging to JSC 'Kazakhtelecom.' This hinders competition. Therefore, we propose introducing one operator into the competitive environment. In principle, the Committee supports us in this. We believe that the more communication operators we have, the less state involvement there will be. Where there is competition, there will be quality and affordable prices," said Bolat Sambetov, Deputy Chairman of the Agency for Protection and Development of Competition.

In many countries where 5G is implemented, there is a trend of rising prices for communication services, and Kazakhstan is no exception. Bolat Sambetov addressed one of the most crucial questions concerning many Kazakhstani citizens.

"Since mid-2022, all mobile operators have been increasing prices for communication services. Monitoring results show an average increase of 7 to 57 percent for communication service plans. We receive many complaints about unjustified increases, and we take appropriate measures. It is important to note that, until 2017, prices were regulated by the state, after which they are in free float. We have already submitted five price notifications, and some entities have reduced their tariffs. Investigations are underway for the rest," mentioned Bolat Sambetov.

In turn, Askhat Uzbekov, Chairman of the Board of JSC "Kcell," explained the reason for the increase in communication service prices, stating that it is driven by the companies' expenditures.

"From a practical point of view, 5G is indeed expensive. The volume of the internet is increasing, the cost of purchased equipment is rising, and the technology itself requires significant capital investments. In previous years, our company built from 500 to 1000 base stations per year, which was sufficient to meet demand. However, recently, demand has increased 2-3 times, and we are now catching up with this train. Building base stations for 4G and 5G is different: 5G requires more electricity, and the greater weight of active equipment requires sturdy conditions. All these factors lead to increased prices. Tariff regulation and artificially keeping prices low can reduce investment flow and, consequently, capital investments. Therefore, technical development is necessary to meet consumer demands and maintain high-quality communication. Otherwise, consumers will be even more dissatisfied," responded Askhat Uzbekov, Chairman of the Board of JSC "Kcell."

The guest of the panel session, Professor from the National University of Singapore, shared his opinion on successful industry development strategies and maintaining market competition during the implementation of 5G technology. He highlighted some advanced international practices that Kazakhstan can consider to ensure effective and sustainable development of its telecommunications infrastructure.

"Since last year, Singapore has been fully connected to 5G, providing us with significant opportunities to introduce new technologies. For example, robots in factories operate on the 5G system. Even in public administration, we use some applications to optimize our services. Therefore, we are developing 5G so that other operators can also enter this market," noted Jacob Ibrahim.

In addition to "5G," representatives of telecommunication companies in the panel session discussed measures taken to ensure continuous coverage in cities and villages and how the issue of improving communication quality in different parts of the country is being addressed.

MDDIAI Press service

On February 3, a briefing will take place in Almaty with the participation of the Minister of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Bagdat Musin.

Briefing Topic: Results of the "Digital Almaty 2024" forum.

Speaker: Bagdat Musin – Minister of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Time: 10:00

Venue: Almaty, Kazakhstan Business Cooperation Center "Atakent."

For accreditation inquiries, please contact the Press Service (tel .: +7 (747) 985-03-57).

Required accreditation information: Full name of the participant, position, name of the media.

On February 2, a panel session will take place at the annual international digitalization forum "Digital Almaty2024: Industry X" with the participation of the Chairman of the Committee on Telecommunications of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, along with representatives of mobile operators.

Panel Session Topic: "Internet: Quality of Connection and Tariff Increases"

Speakers:

Erzhan Meiramov – Chairman of the Committee on Telecommunications, Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

Kairat Akhmetov - Co-founder of Sergek, CEO of Freedom Telecom Holding;

Jacob Ibrahim - Professor of Engineering at the Singapore Institute of Technology SIT;

Evgeny Nastradin - CEO of Beeline Kazakhstan;

Sergey Fedorovich Konkov - CEO of Mobile Telecom-Service (Tele2/Altel);

Askhat Arkhatovich Uzbekov - Chairman of the Board of JSC "Kcell";

Nurlan Meirmanov - Chief Innovation Officer, Central Office of JSC "Kazakhtelecom."

Date: 02.02.2024

Time: 13:30

Venue: Almaty, KCDP "Atakent," Hall No. LITHIUM

For accreditation inquiries, please contact the Press Service (tel .: +7 (747) 985-03-57).

Required accreditation information: Full name of the participant, position, name of the media.

On February 1, 2024, in Almaty, under the chairmanship of the Kazakh side, a meeting of the heads of ministries and agencies of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) responsible for the development of information and communication technologies took place. The event is held within the framework of the Digital Almaty 2024 forum.

Leaders and representatives of the ministries and agencies of the SCO member states responsible for the development of information and communication technologies, as well as dialogue partners of the SCO, and representatives of diplomatic missions participated in the event.

The Minister of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Bagdat Musin, delivered welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony.

"Kazakhstan has achieved significant success in the field of digitalization, GovTech, and IT development, confidently leading among the Central Asian countries. Sustainable growth has turned the country into a leading economy in the region, resulting in an improvement in the standard of living and a reduction in poverty, with an average annual growth rate of 5%," noted Bagdat Musin.

According to the minister, Kazakhstan has established itself as one of the global leaders in the field of GovTech, and its electronic government products are highly rated in global rankings.

"At present, Kazakhstan, in support of friendly relations with Central Asian countries, has provided GovTech solutions ('Smart Bridge' Service Showcase, 'Unified Platform for Internet Resources of Government Agencies,' and the 'Smart Data Ukimet' information and analytical system) to the Republic of Tajikistan," added the minister.

The minister also highlighted successful Kazakhstani IT startups, residents of the international technopark Astana Hub. As of today, 12 regional technoparks have been opened as part of the President's directive to scale the experience of Astana Hub.

"The advantage and attractiveness of Astana Hub to international companies lie in visa and tax preferences, extraterritoriality, the possibility of online registration, and the launch of acceleration programs. Among the Central Asian regions, Astana Hub became the first partner of Google for Startups, within which a joint acceleration program 'Silkway Accelerator' was developed. Over the course of 2 years of collaboration, the result is a twofold increase in the number of graduate companies; these companies have already entered the markets of the Middle East, the USA, and Europe. Compared to the first 9 months of 2022 ($190.5 million USD), the export of IT services increased by 99%, reaching $373.4 million USD in the first 9 months of 2023," shared Bagdat Musin.

In order to determine mutually beneficial directions for digital cooperation and interaction, as well as to implement promising and long-term joint projects, Minister Bagdat Musin proposed the creation of a joint Alliance of technoparks of SCO member countries for the further development of an innovative ecosystem and comprehensive support for startup projects and IT companies.

"The main goal of the Alliance is to exchange startup projects and the experience of technoparks, provide assistance to startups in entering markets, create a common venture fund, conduct joint incubation and acceleration programs, provide free workspace with 24/7 access, the possibility of providing free accommodation for startups, scaling solutions in technoparks of SCO member countries, organizing B2B meetings, and providing grants and support measures," suggested the minister.

According to the minister, another area of cooperation to enhance technological connectivity with the global world could be the construction of fiber-optic communication lines. Utilizing Kazakhstan's high transit potential will provide significant advantages for our countries in connecting to the Internet and improve conditions for traffic flow across the Eurasian continent.

This will allow for the diversification of transit communication channels and expand our states' participation in the international data transit market. Therefore, it is proposed to consider the possibility of constructing fiber-optic communication lines connecting our countries along the route Russia-Kazakhstan-Iran, with access to the Indian Ocean.

Also, as part of the national project "Accessible Internet" in Kazakhstan, the construction of large data centers for processing and storing transit traffic is planned. In the context of SCO member countries' interaction and increasing transit potential, as well as the creation of a regional data hub, there is a proposal to combine efforts in developing joint data storage facilities.

In this regard, it is suggested to implement joint projects involving SCO countries, starting from the creation of satellites and ending with the implementation of digital platforms. The joint formation of satellite groups based on the capabilities of SCO member countries also involves providing shared access to satellite images of all participating countries. This will increase the frequency of satellite imagery of the same territory, enabling operational space monitoring of emergencies, natural resources, anthropogenic impact, and other aspects.

The integration of satellite monitoring data through the digitization of various economic sectors is a global trend. Digital platforms covering agriculture, water, land, natural resources, and subsurface use provide the opportunity for objective monitoring. The effective operation of such platforms depends on the regularity of satellite images. In turn, for launching these satellite data, it is proposed to use international spaceports.

"Positioning itself as a social state, Kazakhstan, whose highest values are people, their lives, rights, and freedoms, and creating favorable conditions for a better life, is open and calls for active mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of digitization, GovTech digital solutions, including the exchange of experience and knowledge in the field of AI with SCO member countries," summarized Bagdat Musin.

During the meeting, participants exchanged best practices in ICT in their countries, successful cases of digitalization of the SCO countries' economies, challenges, and prospects for digitalization for sustainable development, plans, and perspectives for the development of digitization and new technologies.

Countries also noted the existing problem of "digital divide" between different countries and social groups. With the aim of promoting digital partnership for sustainable development of the digital economy, the parties agreed to maintain and strengthen established connections, continuing the exchange of best practices in the field of information and communication technologies and facilitating the systematic reduction of the digital divide.

Meeting participants expressed the desire to deepen cooperation in the development of digital transformation and the digital economy, thereby giving a new impetus to the innovative technological development of SCO countries' economies.

The parties agreed on joint work to promote e-government solutions, exchange knowledge about successful practices, and explore opportunities for joint projects.

In the context of the development of digital transformation and modern information and communication technologies, meeting participants agreed on the need for further development of cooperation between SCO member states and acceptable forms of interaction for all countries.

In conclusion, the parties agreed that the next meeting of the heads of ministries and agencies of the SCO member states responsible for the development of information and communication technologies will take place in 2025 in  China.

The organization of the SCO Digital Forum in Kazakhstan was initiated by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the SCO online summit on July 4, 2023. The head of state emphasized that systematic reduction of digital inequality should become a tangible priority in the SCO's activities.

MDDIAI Press service

On February 1st, within the framework of the annual International Digitalization Forum, Digital Almaty 2024, a briefing was held on the topic "Completion of the pilot project on the interaction of cryptocurrency exchanges with second-tier banks," with the participation of Gizzat Baytursynov, Director of the Department of Electronic Industry Development and Digital Asset Industry of the MDDIAI of the RK, Maksat Shagdarov, Head of the Department for Combating Abuse on the Financial Market of ARDFM of the RK, and Erkegali Edenbayev, Managing Director of the Licensing and Financial Technologies Office of AIFC.

In June 2021, the Roadmap for the development of the crypto industry and blockchain technologies in the Republic of Kazakhstan was approved by the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and a working group of government agencies was created to implement the pilot project on the interaction of AIFC crypto exchanges with Kazakhstan’s second-tier banks.

In December 2022, the Pilot Project on the Interaction of AIFC Cryptocurrency Exchanges and Kazakhstani Second-Tier Banks was launched.

"The main goal of the project was to create a regulated environment for trading in unsecured digital assets, which is important for protecting the rights of both retail and professional investors in the Republic of Kazakhstan. For a year and a half, we have closely interacted with market participants, allowing us to achieve significant success. In particular, we were able to establish effective mechanisms of cooperation between AIFC cryptocurrency exchanges and Kazakhstan’s second-tier banks, contributing to the creation of an appropriate regulatory framework," noted Gizzat Baytursynov, Director of the Department of Electronic Industry Development and Digital Asset Industry of MDDIAI of the RK.

At the time of the pilot project's completion, six cryptocurrency exchanges (Binance Kazakhstan, Biteeu Eurasia Ltd., Top Line Limited, Upbit Eurasia Ltd., Bybit Limited, ATAIX Eurasia Ltd.) and eight second-tier banks (Altyn Bank JSC, People's Bank of Kazakhstan JSC, Bank CenterCredit JSC, Eurasian Bank JSC, Nurbank JSC, Islamic Bank Zaman Bank JSC, Bereke Bank JSC, Freedom Finance Bank Kazakhstan JSC) were participating.

Erkegali Edenbayev, Managing Director of the Licensing and Financial Technologies Office of AIFC, shared the results of the pilot project.

"During the pilot project period, the total turnover amounted to $239 million, the number of transactions was 63,000, and the total number of clients was 52,800," noted Erkegali Edenbayev.

Following the successful trial, the Procedure and Mechanism for the interaction of unsecured digital asset exchanges and AIFC-licensed participants engaged in digital asset-related activities with second-tier banks in the Republic of Kazakhstan have been approved. These steps will contribute to the further development of the crypto industry in Kazakhstan and enhance the country's attractiveness as a center for financial innovation.

MDDIAI Press service

As part of the Digital Almaty 2024 forum, a panel session titled "GovTech X: Digital Tools for Public Administration Modernization" took place with the participation of the Minister of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry, Bagdat Musin.

Speakers at the panel session also included the Minister of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media of the Russian Federation, Maksut Shadaev, the Minister of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic, Nuriya Kutnaeva, and the CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., Timur Turlov.

Minister Bagdat Musin reported that the indicators of e-government implementation are growing every year. In 2023, 50 million online services were provided, with 92% of services available to citizens literally from their homes. Continuous work is also being done on the implementation of proactive services, with 46 types already available and provided over 2 million times.

"We now have a huge ecosystem of e-government, where alongside government portals, banking applications are included, and other services and startups are starting to enter. As a GovTech leader, we see it as our responsibility to share our expertise and even ready-made products. In 2023, three systems were transferred to the Republic of Tajikistan: SDU, Smart Bridge, GOV.kz. We offer successful and proven products to our partner countries free of charge," said Bagdat Musin.

The Minister also noted in his speech that the most popular 45 services and government services are available to Kazakh people through second-tier bank applications. For example, the most popular among them is online car sales. According to him, if previously less than 10% of transactions were done online, after reengineering government services and integrating them into bank applications, the share of online sales increased to 75%.

Processes such as obtaining a mortgage, including bank approvals, property re-registration, and placing it in pledge, are also conducted online and within one day. Registering a business has also become available through bank applications.

All these achievements became possible thanks to the key components of Kazakhstan's e-government: the integration platform Smart Bridge (with over 1700 business connections to government services, allowing businesses to create new products and services), Smart Data Ukimet (space for cross-data analysis and decision-making support), GOV.kz (a unified platform for the websites of all government bodies operating to a unified standard), E-Notary (digital notary), E-Otinish (the principles of a hearing state), E-Densaulyk (access to personal medical data), and E-Salyk (tax wallet).

All these services are available in our Egov superapp: 850 services, 31 digital documents equivalent to paper ones, a marketplace for government services. This includes fully online notarial services, a tax wallet, and filing appeals to government agencies in a couple of clicks. In Kazakhstan, more than 4 million people use the eGov mobile app every month.

«Now we are integrating all existing components into a unified GovTech platform – KazTech, where transparent regulations and rules are already being implemented.  According to our assessment, approximately 40% on average in each project involves the automation of similar processes and requirements,» concluded Bagdat Musin.

MDDIAI Press service

On 1 February, the VI Digital Forum Digital Almaty 2024: "Industry X: Digital Evolution of the Future" started its work in Almaty.

This year's forum will take place from 1 to 3 February. This year, Digital Almaty will present a comprehensive business programme covering the topics of digital transformation in industry and innovative solutions in the areas of GovTech, Industry 4.0, ESG, Smart City and others.

At the grand opening of the forum, the Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, Bagdat Mussin, delivered a welcoming speech.

«Digital Almaty is a unique platform that brings together business representatives, international experts and the IT community. The ideas developed in this forum lead to real solutions. A striking example is the creation of the Silk Road Innovation Hub in Silicon Valley in 2023. Today, the hub has become a magnet for new startup projects and has united our region's efforts to expand the scope of digital solutions. This is a place where startups have the opportunity to demonstrate their ideas and find investors», said Bagdat Musin.

The sixth forum will bring together government officials from the SCO and EAEU countries, leading experts and entrepreneurs to exchange experiences and ideas aimed at creating a new era of digital industry.

This year, VI Digital Almaty will present an extensive business programme covering the topics of digital transformation in industry and innovative solutions in the areas of GovTech, Industry 4.0, ESG, Smart City and others. The panel discussions will feature more than 200 speakers from international experts, industry leaders and leading innovators in IT and business, who will present successful cases of applying new technologies in the real economy and innovation. More than 30,000 people are expected to attend the three-day digital event.

There will also be an exhibition of Kazakhstan's largest subsoil users, technology parks and technology companies, which will share experiences and information on projects in the IT ecosystem.

The programme includes 40 panel sessions with more than 200 speakers representing the international and Kazakh IT community.

Forum website https://almatydigital.kz, Instagram @digital_almaty, hashtag #digitalalmaty2023.

 Press service of MDDIAI RK

Media contacts:

MCRIAP Press Secretary: Albina Aten +7705 343 88 33

PR-head of the forum: Lyazzat Sagyndykova +7701 777 69 17

Press service of ICRIAP: Dinara Mazhitova +7775 270 03 48

From 1 to 3 February 2024, Almaty will host the Digital Almaty 2024 forum: "Industry X: The Digital Development of the Future".

Now in its sixth year, the forum will bring together government officials from SCO and EAEU countries, leading experts, and entrepreneurs from around the world. As part of the Forum, an Industry 4.0 Startup Battle is planned for 3 February - a large-scale battle for the title of the best industrial startup, with a total prize fund of $150,000. The finalists will also receive bonuses and prizes from the event's partners.

Let us remind you that the first Industry 4.0 Startup Battle took place in 2023. This was a real challenge for innovative projects, including piloting at industrial enterprises and subsoil use enterprises, Fast Track for all products and programs from the Tech Garden.

A total of 59 startup applications were considered. As a result, the $22,000 prize fund was split between iSIDA Electronics (1st place - $10,000), SmartView (2nd place - $7,000) and AgriMo (3rd place - $5,000).

This year, startups will compete for the title of "Best Startups in Industry 4.0" in the following areas: Digital Oil Field, ESG, and Smart Mining.

In the upcoming battle, Tech Garden will not only increase the total prize fund but also offer each startup the opportunity to receive additional bonuses from partners, conduct a pilot of their startup at industrial companies, gaining valuable experience and real results. The organizer will support each participant in all stages of preparation for the battle and together they will create an outstanding pitch-deck.

The collection of applications will take place from 3 to 24 January on the website battle.almatydigital.kz. After the initial selection, the semi-final will take place at the Most Hub on 27 January, where the organizers will select the 30 best Industry 4.0 startups. The finalists will present their product on 3 February as part of Digital Almaty-2024.

The battle aims to support innovative startups in the field of industrial digitalization. Industry 4.0 Startup Battle will be the culmination of the best ideas, solutions, and technological innovations.

The event is held with the support of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akimat of Almaty, Autonomous Cluster Fund "Park of Innovative Technologies" Tech Garden, Most Ventures, JSC NC KazMunayGas ", GVA Alatau, JSC "SAC TEK", Innovation Center "Skolkovo" VK Cloud, Yandex Cloud, Kazakhstan Exhibition Company TOO "Iteca", TOO "KAZPETROL GROUP", Tengizchevroil, LLP "KAZ Minerals Management", LLP "Xfinity Solutions".

Media accreditation until 20 January 2024 at +77077090052, Ayim Nusip

Digital Almaty is a traditional dialogue platform for discussing the digital agenda, new digital transformation strategies, and trends in the field of digital technologies. The forum will be held for the fifth time in 2018.

The organizers of Digital Almaty 2024 are the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akimat of Almaty, and Tech Garden.

From February 1 to February 3, 2024, the digital forum Digital Almaty 2024 “Industry X: the Digital Evolution of the Future” will be held in Almaty.

The Sixth Forum will bring together government officials from the SCO and EAEU countries, leading experts, and entrepreneurs to exchange ideas aimed at creating a new era of the digital industry. The Forum also includes Industry 4.0 Startup Battle - a large-scale battle for the title of the best industrial startup, an exhibition of Kazakhstan's largest subsoil users, technology parks, and technology companies that will share experience and information about projects in the IT ecosystem.

The Sixth Digital Almaty this year will present an extensive business program that will cover topics of digital transformation in the industry and innovative solutions in the areas of GovTech, Industry 4.0, ESG, Smart City, and others. The panel discussions will feature more than 200 speakers from international experts, industry leaders, and leading innovators in IT and business, who will share successful cases in the application of new technologies in the real sector of the economy and innovation. More than 30 thousand people are expected to attend the three-day digital event.

“The Digital Almaty International Forum annually brings together the world’s leading experts from 15 different countries. This year we will discuss the topic of the digital industry. The main share of GDP production in our country is made up of industry. In the new year, new digital solutions are needed that will help improve business processes in the economic sphere. The forum platform provides ample opportunities for the presentation and discussion of key trends, projects, and technologies in this industry,” said Bagdat Mussin, Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Recognized by world experts, Digital Almaty last year brought together more than 150 speakers who discussed digital mining, public administration, crypto exchanges, cybersecurity, education, and corporate innovation. The forum also became the platform for the first international championship in robotics and engineering projects, the Digital Ministry Cup, for schoolchildren. Winners from Kazakhstan, Russia, and Azerbaijan were selected in four categories. In addition, on the sidelines of the Forum, the Tech Garden Awards were held for the first time, where, based on the results of 2022, enterprises were awarded for the implementation of innovative projects in production processes.

The heads of government of the participating countries of the Eurasian Economic Union took part in the plenary session of the forum. The speakers discussed the development of sustainable digital infrastructure and new technologies in telecommunications. Digital Almaty has become a tradition and platform for discussions about the digital agenda of the EAEU countries. This year it takes on a new direction, focusing on “Industry X” – the digital evolution of the future.

Let us remind you that the organizers of Digital Almaty were the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akimat of Almaty, and the Autonomous Cluster Fund “Park of Innovative Technologies” (Tech Garden).

Follow the updates on the official website almatydigital.kz for detailed information and registration opportunities.

Venue: Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kazakhstan Business Cooperation Center “Atakent”

Dates: February 1–3, 2024

For media accreditation: Lyazzat Sagyndykova, Ayim Nusip, +77077090052, [email protected]

The Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan is announcing a call for proposals for the Productive Sector Consortia I: Competence Centers grant program within the Fostering Productive Innovation Project.

The Grant Program aims to create consortia R&D centers aimed at developing artificial intelligence and to address systemic industry problems by developing new technologies (R&D), modeling and improving production processes on a laboratory scale ("model factory"), and analyzing and proposing recommendations on industry development.

Applications are accepted through the Portal (www.astanahub.com) till January 29, 2024 at 1 p.m. Astana time.*

For more information on the grant program, see the Productive Sector Consortia I Grant Program Manual at www.fpip.kz (http://fpip.kz/index.php/ru/).

Applications shall be submitted in English, Kazakh and/or Russian. Completing the form in English is mandatory, as projects’ applications are evaluated by international experts. Applicants should carefully read and comply with all the requirements of the Grant Program Manual.

All requirements must be strictly adhered to. Applications that do not comply with the eligibility rules will be rejected and will not be accepted for a review. Before completing the application form, please also carefully read the environmental requirements for the subprojects and the list of activities not eligible for funding under the Project.

If you have any questions, please contact us by email [email protected] or by phone +7 777 149 80 36

IMPORTANT:

Applications are submitted via the AstanaHub electronic portal at the following link: https://astanahub.com/ru/l/gup-grant-programs.

* The deadline for accepting applications can be extended in agreement with the World Bank.

Due to the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of digital development, innovations, and aerospace industry, JSC "National Information Technologies" (NIT), and the "Kazakhstan Agency for International Development" (KazAID), Kazakhstan IT solutions in the field of e-government development, such as "Smart Bridge," "Unified platform for internet resources of government agencies," and the information-analytical system "Smart Data Ukimet" have been exported to Tajikistan.

Within the framework of the Declaration of Allied Interaction between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Tajikistan, signed by the Presidents, active work is underway to transfer Kazakhstani expertise in the development of Tajikistan's information and communication infrastructure. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of digital development, innovations, and aerospace industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of industry and new technologies of the Republic of Tajikistan on cooperation in the transfer of e-government platform systems. In line with this memorandum, a team of technical specialists from JSC "National Information Technologies" is currently conducting a technical assessment of the digital maturity of Tajikistan's ICT infrastructure and the possibilities of implementing Kazakhstani IT solutions, in collaboration with colleagues from the Ministry of industry and new technologies of Tajikistan.

On December 21, 2023, JSC "NIT" team provided practical assistance by transferring e-government components to the Ministry of industry and new technologies of Tajikistan. The assessment of digital readiness and the implementation of IT solutions involve a comprehensive process, including research, analysis, planning, and the implementation of new technologies and systems. The technical team has started working on these tasks, conducting a review of Tajikistan's existing information systems and studying the experiences and practices applied in Kazakhstan. Preliminary results indicate that this joint initiative promises to be successful and beneficial for both parties.

A reminder of the main functions of the exported IT solutions:

"Smart Bridge" - a platform for streamlining the integration process between the information systems of government agencies and the business sector.

Smart Data Ukimet - a set of tools for monitoring economic growth and the execution of government programs, creating a unified space for big data as the foundational basis for the digital transformation of the state.

"Unified platform for internet resources of government agencies" - a unique platform for citizens that consolidates all websites of government agencies into a unified and user-friendly structure with an easy-to-navigate interface.

The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan had previously set a goal to increase the export of IT services to one billion dollars by 2026. The export of Kazakhstani solutions to the Republic of Tajikistan demonstrates the trusting relationship between the two countries and contributes to the regional development of digitization.

MDDIAI Press service

The delegation of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan headed by Vice Minister Malik Olzhabekov took part in the 74th International Astronautical Congress.

The Congress is one of the main space events in the world, where representatives of the space community, space agencies and organizations, gather to exchange information and ideas, developments and achievements, strategies and new trends. This year the Congress is being held from October 2-6, 2023 in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan.

Vice Minister M.Olzhabekov took part in high-level events within the framework of the Congress and acted as a speaker at the Plenary Session «Space 2030: Politics and Strategy in the Global Space Economy».

Bilateral meetings were also held in Baku with representatives of the heads of foreign space agencies and companies. The possibilities of cooperation in the creation and use of spacecraft, exchange of experience in the field of integration of digital technologies and platforms based on remote sensing data, space monitoring, implementation of joint programs, scientific and research work, etc. were discussed.

This year, representatives of such organizations as NASA, Thales Alenia Space Italy, Blue Origin, Planet, SpaceX, the European Space Agency, as well as representatives of space agencies of such countries as: the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Russian Federation, Canada, the Republic of India, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the State of Israel, the Republic of Turkey, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, have been announced as speakers and participants.

Kazakhstan's participation in the 74th International Astronautical Congress will give a new impetus to the development of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with leading international organizations and agencies in the field of exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

       With the support of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, an international practical conference KazHackStan 2023 will be held on topical issues of cybersecurity, which will be held from September 13-15, 2023 in Almaty, Kazakhstan (at 90 Abai Avenue) with the participation of state regulators of a number of countries, foreign experts, practitioners in the field of cybersecurity.

         Within the framework of the event, MDDIAI of the Republic of Kazakhstan organizes interdepartmental consultations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states on the issue of international information security, at which Kazakhstan's initiative to create an Information Security Center will be discussed.

         In addition, the Ministry, together with the Center for Analysis and Investigation of Cyber Attacks, plans to conduct a training/workshop within the framework of the KazHackStan international conference.  

         It should also be noted that a cyberpolygon will be organized, simulating a critically important object of informatization, as well as an exhibition area to demonstrate modern solutions in the field of information security (for more information, see https://kazhackstan.com ).

From May 22nd to May 23rd, 2023, the Sub-Regional Training on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Security for representatives from Central Asian countries and Mongolia took place in the city of Astana. The event was organized jointly by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the support of the United Kingdom.

The training brought together cybersecurity experts from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, the Netherlands, and Tajikistan. The event served as a significant platform for international cooperation aimed at enhancing cybersecurity and fostering the development of ICT in the region.

The opening of the training was attended by the Vice-Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry, Askar Serikovich Zhambakin, the ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the permanent representative of North Macedonia to the OSCE, and the deputy head of the OSCE Program Office in Astana.

In his welcome speech, A.S. Zhambakin emphasized Kazakhstan's commitment to active collaboration with international organizations, including the OSCE, in the exchange of expertise and coordinated efforts to combat cybercrime. He expressed confidence that joint endeavors would contribute to creating a secure and resilient digital world for citizens and the business sector.

The objective of the training was to establish a platform for knowledge and experience exchange and to discuss current issues and challenges in the field of cybersecurity and information and communication technologies.

Kazakhstan is strengthening partnership with France in the field of digitalization, space and aerospace technologies. 

Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan Bagdat Mussin has completed a visit to France. The purpose of this trip is to deepen cooperation and develop innovations in strategically important areas for Kazakhstan: within the framework of the meetings, issues of cooperation in the field of digitalization, the aerospace industry, as well as the development of inclusiveness in the provision of Internet services for hard–to-reach locations were discussed. Thus, the visit organized with the assistance of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the French Republic was an important step in strengthening cooperation and exchange of experience between Kazakhstan and France.

During the visit, Bagdat Mussin held a meeting with the Co-Chairman of the Kazakh-French Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Development (IPC), Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad Olivier Becht, as well as with the heads of leading enterprises in the field of digitalization, aerospace industry and experts in the field of aerospace technologies.

«Kazakhstan is an important strategic partner for France, ensuring the country's energy security. At the same time, it is important to develop ties in high-tech industries, such as the space industry and digitalization», - Olivier Becht noted during the meeting.

Thus, during the meetings with Thales Alenia Space, the prospects of joint projects in the field of creating communication satellites to replace the KazSat satellites and remote sensing satellites, that are completing their service life, were discussed, and with Airbus Defense and Space – issues of the development of the assembly and test complex and satellite production. As a result, Kazakhstan plans to produce communication satellites together with French specialists, the first Kazakh-built device is planned to be launched in 2026.

In addition, Bagdat Mussin discussed with his French colleagues plans and programs aimed at promoting digitalization in both countries, in particular, the minister stressed the importance of digital infrastructures, the development of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital platforms. 

The delegation from Kazakhstan also held a meeting with French partners – Eutelsat-One Web, ReOrbit and SES companies, discussing various strategies and technological solutions to ensure equal access to digital opportunities to provide communication to remote settlements and provide Internet access to hard-to-reach locations using low-orbit satellite groupings represented by these companies.

Bagdat Mussin expressed confidence that these meetings and negotiations will serve as an impetus for strengthening cooperation between Kazakhstan and France in the field of digitalization, space, aerospace technologies, as well as in creating a more accessible and inclusive digital environment for all citizens. 

Olivier Becht thanked the Kazakh side for its assistance in the implementation of the system for collecting data on air passengers. It should be noted, that Idemia is implementing a project in Kazakhstan to introduce an information system for collecting data on air passengers (APCAS) through a joint venture Qazaqstan Identity & Security (QIS). The system is currently in trial operation.

«The Ministry will actively continue to work on the implementation of agreed ideas and plans, ensuring sustainable growth and development in the digital age. Strengthening the partnership between Kazakhstan and France in the field of digitalization, space, aerospace technologies and providing communications to remote settlements is an important step towards achieving digital transformation and sustainable development for our country», - Bagdat Mussin concluded.