Kazakhstan is becoming a popular destination for IT professionals and tech start-ups to move and work to help propel the country in the digitalization rankings. This was stated by the Governor of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) Kairat Kelimbetov during a panel session at the international forum Astana Finance Days 2022.
“In recent months, we have seen the migration of Russian companies in the IT sector to the countries of the Caucasus. Some companies have chosen Kazakhstan for themselves and have successfully relocated to our capital and the city of Almaty. Astana Hub is a strong point of attraction for IT industry enthusiasts and technology startups, including those in the Fintech field.”
In late April 2022, the Astana Hub was home to some 700 IT companies, which enjoy significant tax benefits as the IT park´s residents. Approximately 10 % of those companies had foreign founders. In recent months, the number of IT businesses relocating to Kazakhstan and applying for park membership has increased dramatically. Many of the new arrivals are Russian.
“The relocation of the so-called “digital nomads”, young people who work in IT startups, we accept this human capital. We must strive not only to invite them for temporary work or permanent contacts, but also for the best industry experts in the world to stay with us permanently. Now the country has the opportunity to create an IT hub and become a global force in the IT industry in the future,” the head of the AIFC believes.
According to Kairat Kelimbetov, new companies are showing interest in registering not only at the Astana Hub Technopark, but also at the site of the Astana International Financial Center. Thus, they receive not only tax benefits, but also the opportunity to reach large venture capital investors and raise capital.
