Digital Almaty 2024: Practical Impact on Kazakhstan's Economy
From February 1 to February 3, 2024, Almaty hosted a digital forum with the participation of delegations from the SCO and EAEU.
Photo: Press Service Archive
In early February 2024, the southern capital hosted the digital forum Digital Almaty for the sixth time. The central theme was "Industry X: Digital Evolution of the Future." The event is the largest industry platform in Central Asia and the Caucasus. It draws the attention of all IT market participants and major enterprises for whom digitalization is not just a trend but an integral part of business development. Baurzhan Kankin, the organizer of the forum and CEO of the autonomous cluster fund "Park of Innovative Technologies" (Tech Garden), explained why it's crucial to follow the events at Digital Almaty 2024.
Baurzhan, this year's Almaty Digital Forum is expected to have a highly prominent assembly of official delegations, experts and market players.
Baurzhan, this year's Almaty Digital Forum is expected to have a highly prominent assembly of official delegations, experts and market players.
- Indeed, this year we are holding our forum in a wider format, and instead of the traditional two days, we have expanded the program to three days. On the first day - February 1 – by the order of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the SCO Digital Forum will be held with the participation of ‘digital’ ministers from 14 countries of the organization. Most of them will visit Kazakhstan for the first time, see with their own eyes how the IT industry is developing in the Republic, and share their views on global trends.
On the second day, we will have a plenary session of the heads of government of the EAEU countries, which will also be devoted to the development of digital infrastructure and new technologies in the economy.
On 3 February, Industry 4.0 Startup Battle will be one of the central events - a large-scale battle for the title of the best industrial startup, where the total prize fund has reached $180,000.
Of course, all three days, in addition to the key events, will be eventful and packed with panel sessions by experts, where real cases of applying new technologies in the real economy and innovation will be discussed.
On the second day, we will have a plenary session of the heads of government of the EAEU countries, which will also be devoted to the development of digital infrastructure and new technologies in the economy.
On 3 February, Industry 4.0 Startup Battle will be one of the central events - a large-scale battle for the title of the best industrial startup, where the total prize fund has reached $180,000.
Of course, all three days, in addition to the key events, will be eventful and packed with panel sessions by experts, where real cases of applying new technologies in the real economy and innovation will be discussed.
Бауржан Канкин
Photo: Press Service Archive
What will make this forum different from the previous ones, apart from its expanded program?
- We have aimed to make the program more practical and relevant specifically to Kazakhstan's economy and its industries. Here, we will not discuss in abstract terms the effects of digitalization on various enterprises. Instead, we will focus on specific case studies to discuss the benefits of certain solutions for such a critical sector of Kazakhstan's economy as natural resource management.
Overall, we want to establish Digital Almaty as a traditional platform for Kazakhstan's largest corporations in the mining and metallurgical complex (MMC), the oil and gas sector, industrial enterprises, and technology organizations. These entities will share their experiences and developments in creating IT ecosystems here.
Kazakhstan has long established itself as an authoritative player in the fields of fintech, facial recognition technologies, and beyond. However, industrial startups in our country remain in the shadows, even though we have first-class cases in this area, which major Kazakhstani enterprises have already successfully implemented. Therefore, we are providing a platform where representatives of leading Kazakhstani companies and IT developers can share their achievements and adopt the best practices of their peers.
We understand that subsoil users, for instance, operate in a rather conservative market, which is often reluctant to speak not only about its mistakes but even about its successes. Yet, in my opinion, any less-than-successful experience sometimes provides companies with a much stronger impetus for development. Overcoming mistakes always leads to the path where success lies. And we want to make this task easier for our industrialists because the development of their companies will drive the growth of Kazakhstan's entire economy. Today, the world has either already entered the era of the Industry 4.0 industrial revolution or, at the very least, is standing on its threshold. For Kazakhstan, it is crucial not to fall behind in this technological race. Ideally, we should aim to be among the leaders.
Kazakhstan has long established itself as an authoritative player in the fields of fintech, facial recognition technologies, and beyond. However, industrial startups in our country remain in the shadows, even though we have first-class cases in this area, which major Kazakhstani enterprises have already successfully implemented. Therefore, we are providing a platform where representatives of leading Kazakhstani companies and IT developers can share their achievements and adopt the best practices of their peers.
We understand that subsoil users, for instance, operate in a rather conservative market, which is often reluctant to speak not only about its mistakes but even about its successes. Yet, in my opinion, any less-than-successful experience sometimes provides companies with a much stronger impetus for development. Overcoming mistakes always leads to the path where success lies. And we want to make this task easier for our industrialists because the development of their companies will drive the growth of Kazakhstan's entire economy. Today, the world has either already entered the era of the Industry 4.0 industrial revolution or, at the very least, is standing on its threshold. For Kazakhstan, it is crucial not to fall behind in this technological race. Ideally, we should aim to be among the leaders.
Photo: Press Service Archive
You mentioned that there are successful cases in Kazakhstan that have already been implemented at large industrial enterprises. Could you provide examples?
- Currently, an automated management system for the mining and transport complex, developed by the Kazakhstani company AGTech, is being implemented at the Aktobe Copper Company. This solution allows to control the entire enterprise's transport fleet. The system monitors everything from the technical condition and fuel consumption of the vehicles to the number of trips and the types of cargo each unit has transported.
At “Shubarkol Premium”, a smart-mining solution developed by the Kazakhstani company “Intelligent Digital Solutions” LLP has been installed.
For KazPetrol, a highly innovative smart-field project has been implemented, enabling full automation of the enterprise. It is somewhat similar to a "smart home," where you can remotely turn on lights, heating, or start a washing machine at home. Such industrial solutions significantly save resources and reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere, meaning this project also fulfills an ESG function.
We have numerous successful cases that we have already implemented or are in the process of implementing at Kazakhstani enterprises. This is exactly what we will be discussing at the Forum.
For KazPetrol, a highly innovative smart-field project has been implemented, enabling full automation of the enterprise. It is somewhat similar to a "smart home," where you can remotely turn on lights, heating, or start a washing machine at home. Such industrial solutions significantly save resources and reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere, meaning this project also fulfills an ESG function.
We have numerous successful cases that we have already implemented or are in the process of implementing at Kazakhstani enterprises. This is exactly what we will be discussing at the Forum.
Baurzhan Kankin
Photo: Press Service Archive
How realistic do you think it is to achieve the goal set by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the government to increase IT service exports to $1 billion by 2026?
- It is entirely realistic. In my opinion, the goal is not even the most ambitious. An IT solution for the mining and metallurgical sector alone can cost millions of dollars. Just 100 such implemented projects could easily surpass the $500 million mark. This is something we should strive for.
In September 2024, a digitalization exhibition for the mining and metallurgical sector will be held in Las Vegas. Essentially, this is the industry’s World Cup, taking place once every four years, where the leading players in the field gather. The best solutions from major companies like Hitachi, Komatsu, Siemens, and others will be showcased. Kazakhstan will have a national stand at this event, where we will also present our products. We have significant export potential, and I hope we will attract attention there.
Photo: Press Service Archive
Returning to the topic of the forum, what else will it include?
- Among other things, I would describe this year’s Digital Almaty as an exhibition and entertainment forum. For instance, we will hold a robotics championship for children. It’s always engaging, exciting, and fun.
We will also host a Startup Battle for industrial startups. A large number of applications have been submitted to participate. This is another fascinating project where various active projects will be visually demonstrated.
Additionally, we have organized a "subsoil users' alley" for representatives of 30 companies in this sector. This aligns with what I mentioned earlier—providing them with a shared platform for networking.
There will be many interesting panel sessions where experts will aim to provide the most comprehensive answers to all questions of interest. More than 200 speakers will participate. By the way, this year, we decided to allocate 80 minutes for each session instead of the usual 40. This way, our participants and guests could delve deeply into the topics rather than just skimming the surface.
We expect over 30,000 unique visitors this year. Be sure to join us—it promises to be very exciting!
Additionally, we have organized a "subsoil users' alley" for representatives of 30 companies in this sector. This aligns with what I mentioned earlier—providing them with a shared platform for networking.
There will be many interesting panel sessions where experts will aim to provide the most comprehensive answers to all questions of interest. More than 200 speakers will participate. By the way, this year, we decided to allocate 80 minutes for each session instead of the usual 40. This way, our participants and guests could delve deeply into the topics rather than just skimming the surface.
We expect over 30,000 unique visitors this year. Be sure to join us—it promises to be very exciting!
***
The organizers of Digital Almaty are the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Almaty City Akimat, and the Autonomous Cluster Fund "Park of Innovative Technologies" (Tech Garden).