The QAZTECH Alliance hosted the first experts meeting as part of the "QazTech Future Vision" Initiative, focusing on the innovative and technological development of Kazakhstan
Representatives from the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry (MDDIAI), leading economists of the country, international specialists, as well as leaders and experts from the National Agency for Innovation Development "QazInnovations," the QAZTECH Alliance of Technology Companies, and the International Technopark of IT Startups "Astana Hub" participated in the discussions.
During the roundtable, the QAZTECH Alliance presented the results of strategic consultations with key participants in the technology sector.
Representatives from the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry (MDDIAI), leading economists of the country, international specialists, as well as leaders and experts from the National Agency for Innovation Development "QazInnovations," the QAZTECH Alliance of Technology Companies, and the International Technopark of IT Startups "Astana Hub" participated in the discussions.
During the roundtable, the QAZTECH Alliance presented the results of strategic consultations with key participants in the technology sector.
Aset Issekeshev, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the QAZTECH Alliance of Technology Companies: "In the next 5-10 years, we will see a significant restructuring of the world economy based on artificial intelligence, robotics, new materials, and fundamentally new business models that can radically change the existing rules of the game. Our country can benefit from these changes. Kazakhstan has a very young population, and we have a huge number of creative people, talented scientists, and entrepreneurs. With the right approach, Kazakhstan will be able to become a regional hub for technology and innovation in the near future. To achieve this, it is necessary to update approaches to the regulation and support of technological sectors. Innovators should have more freedom, so it is important to remove barriers to technology implementation, including the use of regulatory sandboxes. Support measures should focus on unlocking our strengths and encouraging the most effective and creative entrepreneurs."
Alexander Dauranov, Chief Analyst of QAZTECH, highlighted global challenges: "The increasing influence of developing countries leads to increased competition and protectionism, worsening the conditions of world trade." He also noted the slowdown in traditional development models: "Exports and employment in the manufacturing sector of developed countries are declining, while international trade in services is growing." At the same time, the importance of the digital economy as a growth driver is increasing: "The digital economy is becoming a key growth driver, with its contribution ranging from 40% to 60%. It is predicted that up to 70% of new value created in the next ten years will be based on digital platform business models."
Speaking about Kazakhstan, he emphasized the need to rethink growth sources: "Traditional sources such as raw material exports are losing their effectiveness, and the contribution of service exports remains insignificant. It is important to develop a pragmatic technological strategy, focusing on future markets and the modernization of the country's basic economic sectors."
Based on consultations with companies, QAZTECH proposed specific measures to create sustainable growth sources, including increasing productivity in mass jobs, developing digital platforms, modernizing small and medium-sized businesses, and improving the efficiency of the national innovation system.
Discussions focused on the modernization of Kazakhstan's innovation ecosystem and the activation of science-business interaction to accelerate economic growth. First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry (MDDIAI) Kanish Tuleushin noted: "For the diversification of the economy and ensuring sustainable growth, a new approach to the modernization of the innovation ecosystem is necessary: defining key priorities for the development of science, technology, and innovation. To date, we have identified seven priorities: medical technology, agricultural technology, 'green' technology, artificial intelligence, metallurgy, Industry 4.0, and GovTech."
He emphasized the importance of funding R&D and innovation: "Particular attention is paid to increasing the level of funding for R&D, focusing on priority areas, as despite the annual increase in funding, its effectiveness remains low."
It was also highlighted that the implementation of priorities should rely on technological platforms: "Coordination of sectoral agencies and development institutions related to science, technology, and innovation around specific goals is important, as well as the active involvement of society, business, and science."
Rakhim Oshakbayev, Director of the Applied Research Center TALAP, pointed out important aspects in the development of innovations:
"The problem of innovation in Kazakhstan is the lack of innovative entrepreneurs and weak competition. Competition and talent are the key ingredients for successful innovation. To move forward, we need to create conditions that attract the most ambitious and creative people: open migration policy, protection of rights, transparent laws, and developed infrastructure. Without this, Kazakhstan loses in the global talent race, and no reforms will help until we have an environment where innovations are born naturally."
The meeting discussed the challenges facing Kazakhstan's economy, including the need to develop a new economic model. Farhad Kuanganov, Head of the Project Office Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noted: "As emphasized by the Head of State, the lack of a clear and thoughtful economic development model leads to the fact that even those companies that are already operating in our market begin to look for more favorable conditions outside the country, as they do not see prospects for their further development in the current economic environment."
Eric Azoulay, an international expert, highlighted the importance of developing institutions for the national innovation system: "For the establishment of a national innovation system, it is necessary to develop institutions in the country. Research universities, the judicial system, a developed venture market, a predictable business environment, the rule of law, reliable protection of intellectual property rights – this is the foundation without which the development of a competitive business is impossible. The state should invest in the development of innovation infrastructure, and it is also important to ensure innovators and scientists have access to venture capital and a variety of financial support tools."
Special attention was given to sustainable demand from the corporate sector. Anuar Buranbayev, Partner at the Center for Research and Consulting (CRC), noted: "Innovations are not an end in themselves, but a powerful tool for increasing the competitiveness of companies and entire countries. The key point is that the end result benefits not only the initiators but also society as a whole, stimulating progress and improving the quality of life for people."
Digital platforms such as Kaspi and Yandex are becoming an important element of the economy, helping to reduce transaction costs and ensuring effective interaction between entrepreneurs and consumers. Kuanysh Zhaikov, General Director of the Analytical Center "DESHT," said: "Digital platforms play a key role in reducing exchange costs and become a reliable guarantee of effective interaction between entrepreneurs and consumers, creating new business opportunities and contributing to its development."
The discussion also touched on the balance between regulation and innovation development. Ruslan Sultanov, Economist and author of the Telegram channel "Economic Literacy," emphasized: "It is important to remove barriers, protect competition, so that entrepreneurs can enter the market, develop their projects and ideas, and interact effectively with each other. A favorable business environment is the foundation for long-term and sustainable economic growth."
Participants noted the importance of constant dialogue between business, government, and scientific institutions to create conditions conducive to sustainable development. Ayana Manasova, Managing Director for Strategy and Analytics at the QAZTECH Alliance of Technology Companies, summarized: "Constant dialogue is important for forming effective solutions that contribute to the innovative development of Kazakhstan. Regular discussions will help us adapt to changes in the technological environment and find optimal ways to implement initiatives. By joining forces, we can create conditions for sustainable growth and prosperity in this field."
For Reference:
The QAZTECH Alliance of Technology Companies brings together like-minded individuals – leading technology entrepreneurs in the country. We are confident that only the technology sector can significantly improve the structure of Kazakhstan's economy and ensure high long-term dynamics. We create a platform for constructive dialogue, where key development issues are discussed. We aim for a new format of dialogue: bringing together the positions of the state, business, and society to develop balanced solutions that take into account the interests of all parties and contribute to sustainable technological progress.
The "QazTech Future Vision" initiative is aimed at contributing to the formation of a long-term vision for the country's development. Within the framework of the initiative, issues of choosing a development vector, defining national priorities, and key actions necessary to achieve them are considered. In "QazTech Future Vision," we strive to attract leading experts and institutions for an open exchange of opinions on key economic and technological agenda issues.
Alexander Dauranov, Chief Analyst of QAZTECH, highlighted global challenges: "The increasing influence of developing countries leads to increased competition and protectionism, worsening the conditions of world trade." He also noted the slowdown in traditional development models: "Exports and employment in the manufacturing sector of developed countries are declining, while international trade in services is growing." At the same time, the importance of the digital economy as a growth driver is increasing: "The digital economy is becoming a key growth driver, with its contribution ranging from 40% to 60%. It is predicted that up to 70% of new value created in the next ten years will be based on digital platform business models."
Speaking about Kazakhstan, he emphasized the need to rethink growth sources: "Traditional sources such as raw material exports are losing their effectiveness, and the contribution of service exports remains insignificant. It is important to develop a pragmatic technological strategy, focusing on future markets and the modernization of the country's basic economic sectors."
Based on consultations with companies, QAZTECH proposed specific measures to create sustainable growth sources, including increasing productivity in mass jobs, developing digital platforms, modernizing small and medium-sized businesses, and improving the efficiency of the national innovation system.
Discussions focused on the modernization of Kazakhstan's innovation ecosystem and the activation of science-business interaction to accelerate economic growth. First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry (MDDIAI) Kanish Tuleushin noted: "For the diversification of the economy and ensuring sustainable growth, a new approach to the modernization of the innovation ecosystem is necessary: defining key priorities for the development of science, technology, and innovation. To date, we have identified seven priorities: medical technology, agricultural technology, 'green' technology, artificial intelligence, metallurgy, Industry 4.0, and GovTech."
He emphasized the importance of funding R&D and innovation: "Particular attention is paid to increasing the level of funding for R&D, focusing on priority areas, as despite the annual increase in funding, its effectiveness remains low."
It was also highlighted that the implementation of priorities should rely on technological platforms: "Coordination of sectoral agencies and development institutions related to science, technology, and innovation around specific goals is important, as well as the active involvement of society, business, and science."
Rakhim Oshakbayev, Director of the Applied Research Center TALAP, pointed out important aspects in the development of innovations:
"The problem of innovation in Kazakhstan is the lack of innovative entrepreneurs and weak competition. Competition and talent are the key ingredients for successful innovation. To move forward, we need to create conditions that attract the most ambitious and creative people: open migration policy, protection of rights, transparent laws, and developed infrastructure. Without this, Kazakhstan loses in the global talent race, and no reforms will help until we have an environment where innovations are born naturally."
The meeting discussed the challenges facing Kazakhstan's economy, including the need to develop a new economic model. Farhad Kuanganov, Head of the Project Office Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noted: "As emphasized by the Head of State, the lack of a clear and thoughtful economic development model leads to the fact that even those companies that are already operating in our market begin to look for more favorable conditions outside the country, as they do not see prospects for their further development in the current economic environment."
Eric Azoulay, an international expert, highlighted the importance of developing institutions for the national innovation system: "For the establishment of a national innovation system, it is necessary to develop institutions in the country. Research universities, the judicial system, a developed venture market, a predictable business environment, the rule of law, reliable protection of intellectual property rights – this is the foundation without which the development of a competitive business is impossible. The state should invest in the development of innovation infrastructure, and it is also important to ensure innovators and scientists have access to venture capital and a variety of financial support tools."
Special attention was given to sustainable demand from the corporate sector. Anuar Buranbayev, Partner at the Center for Research and Consulting (CRC), noted: "Innovations are not an end in themselves, but a powerful tool for increasing the competitiveness of companies and entire countries. The key point is that the end result benefits not only the initiators but also society as a whole, stimulating progress and improving the quality of life for people."
Digital platforms such as Kaspi and Yandex are becoming an important element of the economy, helping to reduce transaction costs and ensuring effective interaction between entrepreneurs and consumers. Kuanysh Zhaikov, General Director of the Analytical Center "DESHT," said: "Digital platforms play a key role in reducing exchange costs and become a reliable guarantee of effective interaction between entrepreneurs and consumers, creating new business opportunities and contributing to its development."
The discussion also touched on the balance between regulation and innovation development. Ruslan Sultanov, Economist and author of the Telegram channel "Economic Literacy," emphasized: "It is important to remove barriers, protect competition, so that entrepreneurs can enter the market, develop their projects and ideas, and interact effectively with each other. A favorable business environment is the foundation for long-term and sustainable economic growth."
Participants noted the importance of constant dialogue between business, government, and scientific institutions to create conditions conducive to sustainable development. Ayana Manasova, Managing Director for Strategy and Analytics at the QAZTECH Alliance of Technology Companies, summarized: "Constant dialogue is important for forming effective solutions that contribute to the innovative development of Kazakhstan. Regular discussions will help us adapt to changes in the technological environment and find optimal ways to implement initiatives. By joining forces, we can create conditions for sustainable growth and prosperity in this field."
For Reference:
The QAZTECH Alliance of Technology Companies brings together like-minded individuals – leading technology entrepreneurs in the country. We are confident that only the technology sector can significantly improve the structure of Kazakhstan's economy and ensure high long-term dynamics. We create a platform for constructive dialogue, where key development issues are discussed. We aim for a new format of dialogue: bringing together the positions of the state, business, and society to develop balanced solutions that take into account the interests of all parties and contribute to sustainable technological progress.
The "QazTech Future Vision" initiative is aimed at contributing to the formation of a long-term vision for the country's development. Within the framework of the initiative, issues of choosing a development vector, defining national priorities, and key actions necessary to achieve them are considered. In "QazTech Future Vision," we strive to attract leading experts and institutions for an open exchange of opinions on key economic and technological agenda issues.