By 2029, Kazakhstan aims to create five Kazakh "unicorn" companies, increase IT exports to $5 billion, and annually implement at least 25 AI products in various economic sectors. These goals are outlined in the Concept of Artificial Intelligence Development, presented at a government meeting by the head of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry, Zhassulan Madiyev, reports Kursiv.kz.
"Unicorns" are companies valued at over $1 billion. Currently, there are no such companies in Kazakhstan, but at the beginning of the year, Yersultan Yermanov, director of the IT Industry Development Department of the Ministry, stated that "the wait is almost over."
According to him, the emergence of "unicorns" in Kazakhstan will be possible through the development of the international IT startup technopark Astana Hub, which was opened in 2018. Its residents are provided with conditions for rapid growth and business development, such as being exempt from corporate income tax. To qualify, residents must earn income only from prioritized activities in the IT sector.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan already has one "unicorn" company. Uzum, which includes an online store, fintech, and food delivery service, is valued at $1.16 billion. The platform was launched in October 2022 and currently has over 8 million monthly active users. In its first full year, the startup recorded a GMV of $150 million and expects to reach at least $300 million this year. In 2020, Uzbekistan had about 1,200 startups, 85% of which were in the pre-investment stage.
Last year, Kazakhstan's exports under the "computer services" category amounted to $529 million, a 57% increase from 2022 when IT exports reached $337 million. Overall, IT service exports have grown tenfold over the past three years: in 2020, they were only $50 million. Kazakhstan's main export markets are the USA, Russia, UAE, and Cyprus.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has tasked increasing IT exports to $1 billion by 2026. The Ministry's AI development concept aims to reach $5 billion by 2029. Notably, in 2023, Kazakhstan's IT service exports exceeded imports ($493 million) for the first time.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
July 16, 2024