Samruk-Kazyna JSC (“the Fund”) and the Kazakhstan Association of IT Companies ("KAITC") have signed a protocol on supporting the domestic IT industry.

The document has been signed following the efforts and regular meetings of the joint working group, which includes representatives of the Expert Council on the development of digital technologies within the Fund group (“the Expert Council”), the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs Atameken, National ICT Holding Zerde JSC, Association of the FEZ PIT of innovative companies, Kazakhstan Association of Innovative Enterprises, as well as the Committee on Information Security of the Ministry of Defense and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The members of the Expert Council and the KAITC noted mutual interest in the development of the domestic IT industry, as well as the viability of joint efforts to achieve this goal by discussing the companies’ plans with the Association's representatives and developing joint projects. The parties highlighted the need for concentrated efforts to expand the dialogue platform including wide range of stakeholders, both from government agencies and organizations, and from the quasi-public sector and the IT business community.

Nurlan Isin, President of the Kazakhstan Association of IT Сompanies, commented:

"Given the current situation in the IT market of the country, Kazakhstan Association of IT Сompanies notes some progress in organizing joint cooperation between the IT industry and the Fund as a part of the signed Protocol. We came to the understanding that domestic IT companies will be admitted and should take an active part in the development of joint projects to automate business processes in the Fund’s companies. The implementation of the Protocol will have a positive impact on domestic IT companies developing software and are currently experiencing difficulties in finding the volume of work required to retain workplaces and further development."

The protocol reflects recommendations to the Fund’s group of companies in accordance with the established procedure consideration should be given to applying the relevant IT solutions of domestic companies in their activities.

Understanding the importance of national security, the growth of competence and competitiveness of domestic producers of IT services and products on the world market, and also considering the strategy of import substitution, the Fund's portfolio companies will create a need in business automation process that would include participation of domestic software producers. 

Ulan Tazhibaev, Managing Director for Human Resource Management and Communications, Samruk-Kazyna JSC, noted:

"The Protocol on mutual understanding between the Fund and the Kazakhstan Association of IT Companies involves the implementation of joint advanced digital technologies projects in Samruk-Kazyna portfolio companies. In this case, the Fund, as a management company, acts as a mediator and creates a communication platform for interaction between Kazakhstani IT companies and portfolio companies of the Fund. As part of the corporate social responsibility, we are ready to support domestic software developers and expect to receive competitive products and tools. In particular, today we have a real need for innovative IT solutions in the field of business process automation, production upgrade and the introduction of advanced information and analytical systems."

The Fund is ready to consider the proposals of domestic software producers on interaction in automation process that include joint investment in the development of IT solutions, hackathons, platforms, as well as acceleration of projects and innovative technologies.

In addition, the working group of the Expert Council includes representatives of the KAITC for the open and transparent dialogue with experts from Kazakhstani IT companies and representatives of the Fund’s group of companies for the development of the domestic IT industry.