How was the panel session of the Technoparks of the Turkic states

On October 24, the main IT-event of Uzbekistan, “ICT Week 2022”, started in Samarkand.  Among the events held within the framework of the ICT Week, it is worth noting the panel session of the Technoparks of the Turkic states.

The session can be called a logical continuation of the cooperation provided for by the Memorandum of Cooperation between the technoparks of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTG), which was signed on September 28, 2022 as part of Digital Bridge 2022 in Kazakhstan.

The memorandum was signed with the aim of joint development of ICT and the innovation ecosystem in the region.  The panel session is aimed at solving these problems.  We tell you what interesting things await guests at the event.

Who spoke at the event?

At the panel session, the heads of such Technoparks spoke as: Director of IT Park Farhod Ibragimov (Uzbekistan), CEO of Astana Hub Magzhan Madiev (Kazakhstan), CEO of the Kyrgyz Association of Software Developers and Services Avigail Menashe (Kyrgyzstan), Financial Director of the “Sabah” laboratory Togrul Ismailov (Azerbaijan), director of technology consulting practice in Central Asia and the Caucasus Ernst & Young Maxim Vyatkin and CEO of Future Laboratory Irakli Kashibadze (Georgia).  And Farrukh Dzhumaev, director of UTG projects, was entrusted with moderating the session.

What interesting things were discussed at the session?

During the panel session, representatives of Technoparks considered the integration of Technoparks UTC to further increase the volume of exports of IT services, as well as the entry of resident companies and startups into foreign markets.

The issue of ensuring a favorable business climate for IT companies in the UTC countries was not left without attention.  The leaders of the technoparks exchanged views on how to create unhindered conditions for the IT companies of the Turkic countries to enter foreign markets.  Thus, the leaders of the Technoparks came to a common opinion that it is necessary to develop specific measures and proposals for bringing IT companies to the market of the EU countries and the USA.  In addition, the meeting discussed the further development of the BPO-services market.

Of course, new conditions cannot be created without a strong legal framework.

Representatives of Technoparks noted that the level of the regulatory framework regarding the export and import of software products can be brought to a significantly new level.  For this, they noted, it is necessary to develop a strategy to improve tax legislation for companies exporting IT services.

In addition to exchanging views and discussing problems in the field of ICT, the solution of which should be given special attention, the leaders of the Technoparks discussed the initiative of the joint Association of Modern Technoparks of the UTC countries.

The goal of the Association is to strengthen partnerships in the IT-industry among the participating countries.  The task of the new association is to find out, through the creation of strong cross-country ties, what exactly does not allow the development of the IT-industry and how to solve it.

The dialogue participants signed the minutes of the panel session of the technology parks of the Organization of Turkic States.  The protocol provides for a deep study of the experience of Technoparks in the development of the IT sector and the export of IT services;  providing support for local startups operating in the US market;  organization of systematic visits of delegations of Technoparks to the UTC member countries in order to exchange experience and get acquainted with the local community of technology entrepreneurs and specialists.

Also among the tasks of the protocol are trips to countries with developed markets for information technology, BPO and technology entrepreneurship, which will allow to study the characteristics of the markets, their legal framework, as well as establish a network of contacts with potential partners and venture investors.