The first year’s overall results from implementation of National ‘Digital Kazakhstan’ Program summarized at the ‘government hour’ in Mazhilis of Parliament of the RoK

Date: 2019-04-10 12:47:36

The initial success and the plans for implementing the 'Digital Kazakhstan' program were told about by Dauren Abayev, Minister of Information and Communications of the RoK at the ‘government hour’ in Mazhilis of Parliament  on December 10, 2018.

“As you know, in January 2017 the Head of State had set the dire4ction towards Kazakhstan’s third modernization. It is intended to be not just a response to new global challenges but rather a reliable bridge to achievement of ‘Kazakhstan 2050’ Strategy goals. President named ubiquitous implementation of high technologies one of the key components of the new modernization, and instructed to work out national ‘Digital Kazakhstan’ program”, Dauren Abayev said.

He pointed out that it was difficult to overestimate the timeliness of Head of State’s instruction. Today, digitalization is a global trend that determines a country’s role in global specialization of labor.

“Today, the well-developed countries are actively adopting digital agendas, accelerating the technological competition. Thus, in EU countries only, there were more than 30 national and regional initiatives on industrial digitalization as of 2017. Essentially, successful implementation of ‘Industry 4.0’ elements is an issue relating to our country’s national security. In this context, as President himself remarked, ‘Digital Kazakhstan’ program is not a panacea. It just serves as a basis for large-scale transformation of our living”, Minister said.

Digital activities carried out this year brought an estimated economic effect in the amount of KZT 58.3 billion.

“Digital Kazakhstan” National Program is consisted from 5 major areas and 17 initiatives under which 120 activities are implemented.

Under the first area named “Digitalization of Economy Areas”, 100 companies have been chosen in which it is planned to implement digital technologies with transition to the level of “smart production”.

Automation of applying for loans and guarantees is carried out under digitalization of agroindustrial complex.

E-commerce is implemented for grain crops. By 2022, it is planned to increase volumes of sales in e-format by 20% excluding intermediaries.

“Following the global agricultural countries` experience, we plan to manage crops efficiency through the usage of satellite and computer technologies”, Dauren Abayev informed.

From April 1, 2018, “ASTANA-1” information system was launched through which over 680 thousand e-customs declarations have been issued. 

The Minister made a particular emphasis in his report on digitalization of public services.

According to him, currently the register of public services contains 741 units among which 454 are automated. By the end of the year it is planned to automate 70 public services. In 2020, the indicator will be raised up to 90%.

For “Implementation of Digital Silk Way” area, the Ministry has launched a project called “Provision of Broadband Access to the Internet to Rural Areas through Fiber Optic Lines”, which is implemented through public-private partnership mechanism. In general, it is planned to provide broadband access to the Internet to 1249 villages and install over 20 thousand kilometers of fiber optic line. 

As part of implementing “Establishing Innovative Ecosystem” area, Astana Hub International IT Startups Park was opened in Kazakhstan and its presentation took place on November 6. As part of its activities, two acceleration programs have been launched resulting in selection of 20 startup projects. The projects attracted investment in the amount of KZT 49 million. 

Some of the successful startups were presented during “Digital Kazakhstan” exhibition held in Mazhilis. Also, new capabilities related to public services delivery using biometric data were presented to Mazhilis deputies.