ASTANA – Implementation of the Digital Kazakhstan programme is entering its active phase, said Kazakh Minister of Information and Communications Dauren Abayev at a Feb.16 extended board meeting of the ministry. The impact of the digital economy sector will create additional value of approximately 2 trillion tenge (US$6.2 billion), ensuring fivefold return on investment by 2025.
Minister of Information and Communications Dauren Abayev
“The President has set tasks for the digitisation of all sectors, including industry, agribusiness, transport, construction, financial sector, education, healthcare and public administration. The ministry will develop a start-up ecosystem, to stimulate demand for new technologies from the non-financial sector at the legislative level and to create a smart city standard,” said Abayev.
The ministry is installing fibre-optic communication lines in rural areas. It will cover 1,249 villages by 2020 and the effort is considered one of the ministry’s most important projects.
“Firstly, it will create a basis for digitisation in agriculture. Secondly, there will no longer be a need for people to go to regional centres to obtain services and purchase tickets. Thirdly, this allows reducing the gap between rural and urban schools in terms of access to knowledge, library and online lectures. The regional state bodies will join the online documentation system,” said the minister.
The country ranks 36th, rising five positions in the number of internet users according to the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum.
This year, it is expected to increase the proportion of internet users to 78 percent and the share of local content in IT services to 26 percent.
“The telecommunications market today has a high growth potential. The 4G technology covers all areas with a population of 50,000 people and regional centres. In this regard, the telecommunications committee in collaboration with the local bodies will monitor the broadband quality in these areas,” he said.
Approximately 200 start-up companies will be launched with the support of technoparks, incubators and accelerators, including 33 start-ups as part of the Astana Hub project. The first incubation programme with 14 projects has already been launched Feb. 7.
The service provision system was deemed successful at the end of the year as a result of well-coordinated work with other state bodies, the public and market participants.
About 34 million services were provided online. The 761 services are provided through e-government and 621 services are available through Government for Citizens.
It is possible now to receive 30 government services through the e-government website with a one-time password instead of an electronic signature. The services to obtain a birth certificate, benefits and kindergarten procedures will be provided without an application.
Third parties, such as state bodies, can receive certificates if they receive confirmation from a citizen.
The digital public service centre (PSCs or TsONs) for services without the participation of operators was also recently launched in the capital.
The digital by default principle will provide the planning and subsequent provision of services in electronic-only form. The paper-free project will be implemented and citizens can receive services without references from other state bodies.
This year it is planned to open specialised public service centres to register cars and issue drivers’ licenses in Uralsk and Atyrau.
All regional branches will introduce digital skills learning and the e-government website activities.
