During the meeting, the QAZTECH Alliance of Technology Companies presented strategic projects aimed at developing technology sector of Kazakhstan. The Alliance will focus on - supporting technological companies, developing legislation in the field of digital economy, and promoting the international expansion of local technology companies. Participants discussed important issues such as antitrust regulation, digital payments, and the development of venture funds, emphasizing the need to consolidate efforts to enter new markets and strengthen Kazakhstan's position as a regional leader in the technology sector.
Bolat Basheev, Chairman of the QAZTECH -100 Club, highlighted the importance of connections between companies of different sizes:
"The QAZTECH -100 Club is not just a platform for communication, but a powerful tool for creating connections and building trust between companies of different sizes. We conducted a survey among businesses, where 87% of participants noted that the most important thing for them is clients. That's why we offer three levels of services: for small companies – access to subcontracts, for medium companies – assistance in entering large markets, and for large companies – help in resolving regulatory issues. Our task is not only to improve the visibility of companies in the market but also to provide access to key players through B2B networking and direct negotiations with the country's largest corporations."
Nurbek Rayev, financier and founder of the investment and lending crowdfunding platform iKapitalist, a member of the Alliance, added about the challenges in dialogue with the government:
"Over the past three years, dialogue with the government has significantly weakened, leading to a lack of flexibility in regulation. The government should develop the market through adaptive regulation, not leave old laws unchanged. The QAZTECH Alliance can restore this dialogue, which is especially important for startups and technology companies striving to enter international markets."
Aziza Shuzheeva, a member of the Alliance and Chairperson of the Board of the nonprofit organization TechnoWomen, spoke about the international successes of Kazakhstani startups:
"We have managed to build a strong network of interactions in Central Asia. For example, the Kazakhstani project Codiplay signed a contract with the Ministry of Education of Uzbekistan to implement computer science lessons. This is just one example of how our developments are gaining recognition abroad, while domestically we often face bureaucracy. Kazakhstani startups have enormous potential, but their growth requires state support. We need to reduce the number of barriers and establish more effective interaction with government structures so that domestic companies can confidently enter foreign markets."
Murat Abdrakhmanov, a serial entrepreneur, venture investor, and member of the Alliance's Board of Trustees, emphasized the importance of supporting Kazakhstani developments and startups:
"Support is important not only abroad but also within the country. For example, many quasi-state structures still prefer foreign products, even if there are worthy Kazakhstani counterparts. We need to implement mechanisms that require explanations for such decisions and stimulate the use of local developments. We also need to focus on startups. They grow ten times faster than traditional companies and need special support. And, of course, we need to continue working on forming a positive image of Kazakhstani products both domestically and internationally. It is difficult for many foreigners to believe that 'Made in Kazakhstan' means quality, and we must change that."
Concluding the discussion, Dana Altybayeva, a member of the Alliance and General Director of Hewlett Packard Enterprise for Central Asia and the Caucasus, emphasized the importance of both external and internal development:
"We are significantly ahead of some of our neighbors in the IT sector, and we need to maintain this advantage. The development of Kazakhstan's IT industry has largely been possible because the government has not interfered in the process, allowing companies to evolve naturally. Over the past 20 years, the number of IT specialists capable of implementing complex projects has significantly increased. It is important for the government to continue supporting this sector by avoiding the creation of unnecessary barriers. International experience can help us shorten the development path, but the key focus should be on supporting national products and their entry into international markets."
The QAZTECH Alliance plans to continue actively supporting the technology sector by organizing working groups and forming platforms for interaction between business and government, ultimately contributing to strengthening the country's position as a regional leader in the technology sector and stimulating economic development.
Bolat Basheev, Chairman of the QAZTECH -100 Club, highlighted the importance of connections between companies of different sizes:
"The QAZTECH -100 Club is not just a platform for communication, but a powerful tool for creating connections and building trust between companies of different sizes. We conducted a survey among businesses, where 87% of participants noted that the most important thing for them is clients. That's why we offer three levels of services: for small companies – access to subcontracts, for medium companies – assistance in entering large markets, and for large companies – help in resolving regulatory issues. Our task is not only to improve the visibility of companies in the market but also to provide access to key players through B2B networking and direct negotiations with the country's largest corporations."
Nurbek Rayev, financier and founder of the investment and lending crowdfunding platform iKapitalist, a member of the Alliance, added about the challenges in dialogue with the government:
"Over the past three years, dialogue with the government has significantly weakened, leading to a lack of flexibility in regulation. The government should develop the market through adaptive regulation, not leave old laws unchanged. The QAZTECH Alliance can restore this dialogue, which is especially important for startups and technology companies striving to enter international markets."
Aziza Shuzheeva, a member of the Alliance and Chairperson of the Board of the nonprofit organization TechnoWomen, spoke about the international successes of Kazakhstani startups:
"We have managed to build a strong network of interactions in Central Asia. For example, the Kazakhstani project Codiplay signed a contract with the Ministry of Education of Uzbekistan to implement computer science lessons. This is just one example of how our developments are gaining recognition abroad, while domestically we often face bureaucracy. Kazakhstani startups have enormous potential, but their growth requires state support. We need to reduce the number of barriers and establish more effective interaction with government structures so that domestic companies can confidently enter foreign markets."
Murat Abdrakhmanov, a serial entrepreneur, venture investor, and member of the Alliance's Board of Trustees, emphasized the importance of supporting Kazakhstani developments and startups:
"Support is important not only abroad but also within the country. For example, many quasi-state structures still prefer foreign products, even if there are worthy Kazakhstani counterparts. We need to implement mechanisms that require explanations for such decisions and stimulate the use of local developments. We also need to focus on startups. They grow ten times faster than traditional companies and need special support. And, of course, we need to continue working on forming a positive image of Kazakhstani products both domestically and internationally. It is difficult for many foreigners to believe that 'Made in Kazakhstan' means quality, and we must change that."
Concluding the discussion, Dana Altybayeva, a member of the Alliance and General Director of Hewlett Packard Enterprise for Central Asia and the Caucasus, emphasized the importance of both external and internal development:
"We are significantly ahead of some of our neighbors in the IT sector, and we need to maintain this advantage. The development of Kazakhstan's IT industry has largely been possible because the government has not interfered in the process, allowing companies to evolve naturally. Over the past 20 years, the number of IT specialists capable of implementing complex projects has significantly increased. It is important for the government to continue supporting this sector by avoiding the creation of unnecessary barriers. International experience can help us shorten the development path, but the key focus should be on supporting national products and their entry into international markets."
The QAZTECH Alliance plans to continue actively supporting the technology sector by organizing working groups and forming platforms for interaction between business and government, ultimately contributing to strengthening the country's position as a regional leader in the technology sector and stimulating economic development.