Digital Technologies - The Times Of Central Asia

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Digital Technologies

Kazakhstan Unveils Central Asia’s Most Powerful Supercomputer

Kazakhstan has taken a major step in its digital transformation with the arrival of the most powerful supercomputer in Central Asia. The system, boasting a performance of approximately 2 exaflops, was delivered as part of a strategic agreement between the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry (MDDIA) and Presight AI Ltd, an ADX-listed public limited company whose majority shareholder is Abu Dhabi company G42. This milestone follows an agreement signed in February 2024 to construct a supercomputer and a dedicated data center. The latest development includes the creation of a full-scale supercomputing cluster that will be installed in a state-of-the-art Tier III data center. The facility ensures high availability through dual data redundancy, independent power supplies, and the capability to upgrade equipment without interrupting operations. The new supercomputer is powered by the latest NVIDIA H200 graphics chips, optimized for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. With a capacity of 2 exaflops, equivalent to a billion billion (10¹⁸) floating point operations per second, the system is expected to significantly bolster Kazakhstan’s digital infrastructure and AI capabilities. According to the MDDIA, the supercomputer is intended to benefit a wide range of users, not just a narrow group of specialists. “The supercomputer’s resources will be accessible to all: startups developing neural networks, universities conducting fundamental and applied research, scientific institutions, and businesses integrating AI into their operations,” the ministry stated. The project aligns with Kazakhstan’s broader digital strategy and its ambitions to become a regional technology hub. It also reflects deepening economic ties with the United Arab Emirates. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, during the official visit of Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Kazakhstan, the two countries signed over 20 commercial agreements worth approximately US$5 billion.

Business

U.S. Tech Giant Honeywell Expands Operations in Uzbekistan

Honeywell, a global leader in integrated technology solutions, has expanded its footprint in Uzbekistan by establishing a new legal entity, Honeywell Industrial Automation LLC. The initiative aims to support the digital transformation and automation of key industrial sectors in Uzbekistan and reflects a broader commitment to strengthening U.S.-Uzbek commercial ties. The official launch was celebrated on March 25 at a reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick at his residence in Tashkent. The event was attended by Uzbekistan’s Minister of Energy, Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov. Ambassador Henick reiterated the U.S. Embassy’s strong support for Honeywell’s initiatives, stating he looked forward to "the continued growth and success of American businesses in Uzbekistan." Honeywell emphasized its dedication to advancing Uzbekistan’s digital and energy strategies. The company has long-standing partnerships with both government and private sectors, especially in oil and gas, petrochemicals, mining, and metallurgy. As part of its expansion, Honeywell announced plans to establish a Global Engineering Center (GEC) in Tashkent. The new center will serve as a regional hub for advanced engineering solutions, while also fostering local talent and innovation. Earlier, Honeywell representatives held talks with the leadership of Uzbekneftegaz JSC to discuss the integration of cutting-edge technologies into Uzbekistan’s oil and gas sector.

Telecommunications

Kazakhstan to Crack Down on “Gray” Smartphones

Starting March 24, 2025, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry will require telecom operators to verify the IMEI codes of smartphones and disconnect illegally purchased devices. According to ministry officials, the new regulation will apply only to phones purchased after March 24, 2025. Under the new system, all smartphones in Kazakhstan will be categorized into three lists based on their IMEI codes: White List: Legally purchased smartphones. Gray List: Devices with suspicious IMEI codes, such as duplicates. Owners will have 30 days to confirm their device's legitimacy. Black List: Stolen or counterfeit phones, which will be blocked from network access. “The goal of these new regulations is to combat the circulation of illegal devices,” said Dias Tolegenov, head of the Monitoring and Development of Wireless Projects Department at the ministry’s Telecommunications Committee. Phones imported before March 24, 2025, will not be affected by the new rules. Buyers can already check a device’s IMEI code on a dedicated government portal to avoid purchasing illegal or counterfeit smartphones. Azamat Seriktaev, another ministry representative, noted that blocking stolen phones through IMEI registration will help reduce mobile device theft. Meanwhile, the regulations are expected to curb the flow of illegally imported or fraudulently registered devices. According to Mazhilis deputy Ekaterina Smyshlyaeva, 64% of mobile devices in Kazakhstan’s market are imported through illegal or “gray” schemes: “In 2024, the state lost nearly 100 billion tenge (approximately $196 million) in unpaid value-added tax (VAT) due to these illegal imports.” She outlined several common fraudulent practices, including: Customs Evasion: Phones are imported without proper customs clearance. Mislabeling: High-end smartphones are registered as budget models to reduce tax liabilities. IMEI Duplication: Fraudsters copy the IMEI numbers of legally imported devices and assign them to multiple smuggled phones - sometimes up to five or six per code. “Often, people check a new phone’s IMEI and find out that, according to the system, it was manufactured 10 years ago,” Smyshlyaeva noted. To further tighten control, Smyshlyaeva suggested: Integrating IMEI registration with customs data to detect fraudulent imports. Automatically cross-checking IMEI numbers with the Customs Register of Intellectual Property Objects. Limiting personal imports to two smartphones per year per individual to prevent bulk smuggling. Separately, Mazhilis deputy and former Education Minister Askhat Aimagambetov have proposed restrictions on children’s use of smartphones in schools. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Kyrgyzstan is considering similar measures in schools and universities.

Afghanistan

Central Asia Expands Trade and IT Cooperation with Afghanistan Amid Regional Growth Plans

The Central Asian countries continue to develop their trade relations with Afghanistan, a crucial factor in the region's economic growth and resilience against economic and political challenges. Afghanistan's key trade partners in Central Asia are Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. While Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan play a smaller role, they still contribute by exporting electricity and agricultural products to Afghanistan. Afghanistan is Uzbekistan's fifth largest export market. Over the past five years, trade turnover between the two countries has grown by nearly 1.5 times, reaching $866 million in 2023. Currently, 550 enterprises with Afghan investments operate in Uzbekistan, with 443 being fully Afghan-owned. Joint projects span industries such as food production, construction materials, agriculture, tourism, and textiles. Recently, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan signed business agreements worth $4.5 million between their private sectors. For Turkmenistan, the most significant project involving Afghanistan is the TAPI gas pipeline. President Berdimuhamedov recently directed the government to accelerate the development of the Galkynysh Gas Field and expedite the TAPI pipeline's construction. The state company Turkmengas has already completed a 214-kilometer section on Turkmenistan's territory, fully preparing it for operation. This project is a key component of the country's socioeconomic development and investment program for 2025. Additionally, Turkmenistan is poised to become a transport hub for international corridors passing through Kazakhstan, particularly the North-South and Middle corridors, as well as the Lapis Lazuli corridor, which connects Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan. Although Kazakhstan does not share a border with Afghanistan like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, it remains an active trade partner. The Times of Central Asia has previously detailed trade relations between Astana and Kabul, highlighting Kazakhstan’s potential not only for expanding trade but also for entering Afghanistan’s IT market. The Afghan news portal AVA Press notes Kazakhstan’s role in regional stability and economic development. It also mentions Kazakhstan’s humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, including earthquake relief in 2023 and food assistance in 2024. The article touches on Afghanistan’s IT sector challenges and Kazakhstan’s potential role in addressing them. Afghanistan lags in IT development and relies on imported technologies, but Kazakhstan, recognized for digital transformation, could be a valuable partner. Kazakhstan’s e-government model, including the eGov platform, serves as an example of how digital services can improve governance and infrastructure. Choosing Kazakhstan as an IT partner is seen as a strategic decision based on the country’s internationally recognized digital achievements, strong economic ties, and mutual trust.

Transport

Unmanned ‘Aero Taxi’ Planned to Launch in Kazakhstan Next Year

Kazakhstan plans to introduce an unmanned aero taxi service by 2026, following the example of South Korea, Minister of Transportation Marat Karabayev has announced. He outlined the project's timeline and potential routes. First Route and Project Details According to Karabayev, there are currently no legal restrictions preventing the launch of aeromobile services in Kazakhstan. "The first stage will involve a route from Almaty to the town of Alatau. We are in discussions with Kazakh entrepreneurs, and a pilot launch is planned for 2026. These will be silent, hydrogen-fueled helicopters capable of carrying five passengers. One Kazakhstani company has already expressed interest in developing the aeromobility sector," he said. He noted that similar technologies are being actively developed in South Korea and the United States, and Kazakhstan is studying their potential implementation. "We are currently assessing how this technology can be adapted for our country," Karabayev added. Regulatory Framework and International Experience The minister also mentioned that the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry has proposed studying international regulatory practices for such vehicles. "We will review this proposal. As unmanned vehicles become more common in Kazakhstan, we will develop the necessary legislative framework," he assured. However, Karabayev clarified that no amendments are currently being considered regarding liability for accidents involving unmanned vehicles. Global Developments in Aero Taxi Technology Unmanned aero taxis are already being tested and partially deployed in several countries. In the UAE, the Chinese company EHang has conducted pilot flights in Dubai, while in China, EHang has obtained certification for commercial operations. Meanwhile, South Korea is also conducting trials of air taxi services.

China’s AgiBot to Produce Robots in Kazakhstan

Chinese robotics company AgiBot plans to establish a joint venture in Kazakhstan to manufacture and deploy robots at industrial facilities across the country. The company also aims to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) solutions as part of its expansion strategy. An agreement of intent was signed between AgiBot and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry during the Digital Almaty 2025 forum. Qazaqstan Investment Corporation JSC, a private equity fund founded in 2007 to support private equity and venture capital development, will also participate in the project. To implement the initiative, AgiBot has partnered with EWPartners, a private investment firm specializing in cross-border collaborations with leading Chinese industrial companies. AgiBot, founded in February 2023, focuses on the development and production of general-purpose humanoid robots for industrial and domestic use. Kazakhstan is the first country in the region where AgiBot plans to localize production and expand exports. As part of the partnership, the company is expected to launch a “data factory” for training robots and robotic systems. Qazaqstan Investment Corporation and EWPartners will contribute to financing this project. Additionally, a joint R&D center and an exhibition of AgiBot prototypes are set to be established at the Alem AI International Center for Artificial Intelligence. AgiBot also intends to collaborate with Kazakhstani universities to develop joint research projects and train students in robot assembly. “Partnership with an advanced company like AgiBot is an important milestone in the history of Kazakhstan’s robotics industry. I would especially like to highlight that this agreement includes the localization of robot production in Kazakhstan. This will not only help launch a facility in one of the most promising branches of mechanical engineering but also strengthen local expertise and create a domestic center of competence in robotics,” said Zhaslan Madiev, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan exports IT products and services to 95 countries. With AgiBot’s involvement, the country may soon add robot exports to its growing digital economy.