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Kyrgyzstan plans to introduce the digital som by 2027, with the National Bank proposing amendments to the Constitutional Law "On the National Bank" to facilitate this. The proposal includes creating a legal framework and outlining the National Bank's new functions and powers, focusing on issuing and managing the digital som. This digital currency aims to enhance the financial sector, improve public administration, and foster innovation in payment systems, offering benefits like more transparent and secure transactions, reduced bureaucratic obstacles, and convenient access to financial services through mobile applications.
A memorandum of strategic partnership has been signed by Kazakhstan’s Al-Farabi Innovation Hub and Saudi Arabia’s Al Rajhi International for Investment. The intention behind the agreement is to create a business accelerator for technology companies from Kazakhstan and Central Asia in Saudi Arabia, and provide opportunities for start-ups to pilot their practices, identify local business partners and secure venture capital. Supported by the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, the Kazakh-Saudi Business Council, and Astana Hub, the partnership will help expand the potential of Central Asian start-ups in Saudi Arabia by providing easier access to new capital and opportunities to both expand and compete globally. Emphasizing the significance of the agreement, Aslan Sultanov, founder, and CEO of Al-Farabi Innovation Hub, stated, “We are aimed at creating the best conditions for start-ups from Kazakhstan and Central Asia and strive to provide maximum development opportunities in the MENA market.” The Al-Farabi Innovation Hub was set up to attract talented entrepreneurs and innovative start-ups from Kazakhstan and Central Asian countries to Saudi Arabia.
On June 4, Seoul hosted a seminar organized by Caspian Group Korea and several Korean organizations, on the development of bilateral economic cooperation and investment opportunities offered by Kazakhstan. Endorsed by Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry as a significant platform for promoting investment opportunities to the Korean business community, the seminar was attended by deputies of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, Kim Song Won and Kim Seung Soo, and Korean companies including Samsung, Hyundai, KPMG Korea, KT, and CJ. In his address, Deputy of the National Assembly Kim Song Won referred to the important relationship between Kazakhstan and Korea, and emphasized the need to create synergy by combining advanced Korean technologies and rich Kazakh natural resources. Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea, Nurgali Arystanov, likewise welcomed strengthening cooperation between the two countries and particularly, the input of Korea’s experience in Kazakhstan's industrial development, smart city technologies, healthcare systems, as well as agriculture and smart farms. Focus then turned to the new Alatau City project, an ambitious centre in Kazakhstan which designed to attract for Korean advanced technologies, will play a significant role in strengthening bilateral investment cooperation and the development of sustainable urban infrastructure.
The construction of the first IT town in Uzbekistan is underway in the Parkent district of the Tashkent region, the press service of the Ministry of Digital Development has reported. The launch ceremony was held last week, on May 18, with the “Villayat Samsarak: Creative Eco-IT Village” project being presented. The IT town will serve the development of “green” and creative sectors in the Tashkent region, it was stated. On May 15, President Miziyoyev's decree “On the organization of the activities of IT-towns aimed at creating additional conditions for digitization and learning foreign languages for young people in the regions” was accepted. The construction and modernization of such educational centers are to be financed by public-private partnerships, sponsors, and other sources. The Foundation for the Development of Digital Technologies is responsible for the provision of educational materials. The construction of IT- towns in some regions of Uzbekistan is also to be carried out at the expense of the State Fund for Youth Policy Support.
On 13 May, Satbayev University (Kazakhstan), EOS GmbH (Germany), and NORM Additive (Turkey) signed a framework agreement on the creation of a consortium for the establishment of a Center for Additive Technologies at Kazakhstan’s Institute of Physics and Technology. Reporting from the meeting in Almaty, Kazakh Invest outlined proposals for a pilot project comprising a scientific and innovative competence center for working with materials such as polyamide and metal powders to produce various components on 3D printers. At the first stage, the group plans to create an innovation center for technology transfer and the creation of competencies. During the next stage, a research and innovation center (R&D) will be established to manufacture and test the first batch of products. The third stage involves the commercial production of specific components to meet the demands of automotive, aerospace, engineering, oil and gas industry, and medicine companies. Developments thereafter, include facilities to study materials such as polymers and their components, for use in the production of industrial-scale 3D printers. Looking to the future, the project has the potential to create a niche industry which will increase Kazakhstan’s ability to compete in the global market with high-value-added products.
At the International PLUS-Forum ‘Digital Kyrgyzstan’ on 28th February, Akylbek Japarov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, announced that Kyrgyzstan is to create a Centre for Innovative Technologies. The centre for the advancement of developments in the field, including Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing, will be a non-governmental institution, financed through government subsidies and sponsorship. The prime minister emphasized the government’s commitment to introducing digital technologies and by expanding state provision, provide an open digital society in Kyrgyzstan. This year, the country is set to adopt its first-ever Digital Code. Online registration of motor vehicles, introduced back in September 2023, now allows the sale and purchase of cars through a mobile app. “It is now possible to create, re-register and liquidate a legal entity without leaving your home,” stated Mr Japarov, adding that online purchase and sale of real estate will be launched on March 1st. Touching upon the development of AI in Kyrgyzstan, he referenced the government’s purchase of a supercomputer which able to recognize and synthesize speech, is already being used to broadcast news in the Kyrgyz language on state radio channels.
