ASTANA (TCA) — The share of the information technology (IT) sector in Kazakhstan’s GDP will increase up to 5 percent after 2020 from today’s 4 percent due to implementation of Digital Kazakhstan concept, Novosti-Kazakhstan news agency reported citing Asel Zhienbayeva, chairperson of Zerde National Information Holding.
Speaking at the forum “On the way to a digital economy” in Astana on June 9, Zhienbayeva said that implementation of Digital Kazakhstan 2020 concept will help create some 150 thousand jobs in the IT sector, raise the sector’s labor productivity up to 37 percent, and increase the population’s digital literacy to 85 percent.
In her words, the Digital Kazakhstan concept consists of four key directions. First, a Digital Silk Road, which means bringing the Internet to rural areas and developing Kazakhstan’s transit potential. Second, digital transformation of the economy, including transport and logistics, healthcare, education, agriculture, and e-commerce. Third, improving the electronic government and electronic public services in Kazakhstan. And fourth, the development of a creative society with the appearance of new IT specialists, new skills and new competence in the digital economy.
“We plan to approve the Digital Kazakhstan 2020 program by the end of this year and start its implementation in 2017,” Zhienbayeva said.
She added that reaching the objectives of the Digital Kazakhstan program will create a digital platform that will increase the competitiveness of the national economy and significantly improve the quality of life of Kazakhstan citizens.
