Kazakhstan to Boost Digital Economy with Merger of Key Tech Hubs

Kazakhstan is moving forward with plans to create a unified national innovation cluster by combining two of its leading technological entities: the International Technopark of IT Startups, Astana Hub, and the Park of Innovative Technologies fund, also known as Tech Garden.

The merger bill has passed its first reading in parliament, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Times of Astana.

Officials say the initiative is aimed at accelerating the development of Kazakhstan’s digital economy and enhancing its global competitiveness.

Astana Hub is currently Kazakhstan’s largest platform supporting IT entrepreneurs, offering tax incentives and accelerator programs. In contrast, Tech Garden is funded through mandatory contributions from subsoil users, 1% of their income, to support digital innovation in the industrial sector.

According to Member of Parliament Aituar Koshmambetov, the integration of these two entities will create powerful synergies.

“We’re combining infrastructure, finances, experts, mentors, support programs, and market access opportunities,” Koshmambetov said.

At the heart of the merged structure will be a digital platform designed to link science, business, government, and startups.

“It will function as a marketplace for challenges and solutions. Residents can see where subsoil users’ contributions are being directed and propose technologies to meet those needs,” explained Minister of Digital Development Zhaslan Madiev.

Another component of the initiative is the expansion of the Single Window of the National Innovation System (SW NIS), which allows IT companies and scientists to directly access the development needs of industrial firms. The platform is already operating in pilot mode at astana-hub.com.

Post-merger, participants from both institutions will retain all existing benefits. Tech Garden residents will gain access to Astana Hub’s startup acceleration programs, while Astana Hub startups will have new opportunities to secure contracts from major industrial players.

Officials also hope the consolidated cluster will attract greater interest from international corporations. Kazakhstan already collaborates with major tech players like Indrive and Google, and negotiations are ongoing with Telegram.

“Kazakhstan has the unique advantage of being able to engage comfortably with China, the U.S., and Russia,” Koshmambetov noted. “That’s a strategic asset we should fully leverage.”