Dear friends & partners,
We are delighted to bring you the latest news on startup ecosystems in the CAREC region. Our newsletter highlights various developments in the areas of startups, ICT, and digital transformation.
We would be happy to report on your organization’s work, so feel free to share your story or article with us. This newsletter is distributed to various stakeholders in the CAREC region. For more updates join our telegram channel: https://t.me/CAREC_digital
Regards,
Team CAREC
|
|
|
Digitalization Policy and Initiatives
|
|
2nd Meeting of the Digital Strategy Steering Committee (DSSC)
The 2nd Meeting of the Digital Strategy Steering Committee (DSSC) in-person event to showcase the achievements of the activities implemented under the Digital Strategy and propose the initiatives for 2024 and 2025 was held in Astana, Kazakhstan on 19th April 2024. The CAREC secretariat invited DSSC members on the digitalization agenda to engage and collaborate on various initiatives.
|
|
CAREC Innovation Week and Digital Economy Tour
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, the Hangzhou Municipal Government, and the Qiantang District Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) co-organized the CAREC Innovation Week and Digital Economy Tour from 22-24 November 2023 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, PRC. This three-day event coincided with the Second Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou, which consisted of conferences, exhibitions, and tours. Participants were able to learn about the development, strategies, and opportunities of cross-border e-commerce in the PRC. The events provided a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences, building networks, exploring innovative solutions, and promoting digital economy development mechanisms through regional collaboration. Participants from all CAREC Countries joined.
|
|
Azerbaijan announces the implementation of digital ID through the mygov platform
The Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA), dedicated to driving digital transformation and IT ecosystem development in Azerbaijan, is actively seeking to attract startups and tech companies from India and other countries abroad to relocate to Azerbaijan. To accommodate the new businesses IDDA aims to create a dynamic exchange of ideas and technology with the top innovation leaders and expand the country’s digital potential.
|
|
Kazakhstan keeps pursuing digitalization of energy industry
Kazakhstan has implemented several key initiatives to digitalize the energy industry in 2024, Azernews reports, citing the government's report on the development of the energy sector in the first half of 2024. In particular, a pilot project has been launched for digital monitoring of the licensing and contract conditions of subsoil users.
|
|
Pakistan’s aspiring journey to secure digital identity examined
Pakistan has achieved significant progress in digital public infrastructure (DPI), the World Economic Forum reports, which is important for promoting financial inclusion and citizen empowerment. Some key interventions like the development of national digital identity systems, and mobile money transfer initiatives have had remarkable success to date. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) similarly identifies these digital strides as having the potential to propel socioeconomic conditions if there is better governance and strategic implementation. Embracing this journey to digitization signifies Pakistan’s resolve to use technology as a means for socio-economic progress and resilience hence being a leading nation in this respect globally.
|
|
Uzbekistan plans transitioning to digitalized system for identifying disabilities
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a comprehensive presentation outlining additional measures aimed at bolstering social protection in Uzbekistan. Emphasizing the principle “Uzbekistan is a social state,” these initiatives seek to support the population and enhance the provision of social services, particularly for persons with disabilities.
|
|
|
Opportunities and Upcoming Events
|
|
Kazakhstan Launches Innovation Challenge: Seeking Cutting-Edge Solutions in Video Analytics and AI
NJSC "State Corporation 'Government for Citizens'" in collaboration with Astana Hub is on the lookout for innovative solutions in video analytics and related fields.
|
|
Central Asia Tech Summit x Startup World Cup Central Asia, Paving the Way for Regional Innovation and Growth
In a landmark event for the region, The Central Asia Tech Summit x Startup World Cup Central Asia x Mongolia Economic Forum (Summit), was organized in collaboration with Exponential Zaisan Partners, Pegasus Tech Ventures, and Nomadic Minds on July 9th at Chinggis Khan Museum, converged to create a powerful platform for advancing the startup ecosystem in Central Asia. This triad of influential gatherings highlighted the region's burgeoning potential and set the stage for future growth and success in its vibrant and innovative community.
|
|
|
Startup Ecosystem Initiatives
|
|
CAREC University Startup Generator 2024
On 28 May, ADB launched the 3rd cohort of CAREC University Startup Generator 2024 (USG2024). The USG2024 will run for two months from July to August. Each country partner will select and nominate finalist/s for the Regional Final. Previous cohorts have successfully engaged over 800 students since the USG was launched in 2021.
The initiative, as part of the CAREC Digital Strategy 2030, aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among university students in the CAREC region, eventually harnessing sustainable innovation ecosystem within the CAREC region and beyond.
This activity is supported by TA 6602-REG: Supporting Startup Ecosystem in the CAREC Region to Mitigate Impact of COVID-19 and Support Economic Revival with support from Republic of Korea’s e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund. Read more.
|
|
Workshop and Korea Showcase: Universities as Enablers of Vibrant Startup Ecosystems
This was jointly organized by the ADB, ADB Institute, and the CAREC Program on 26-29 February 2024, in the Republic of Korea. Government and university representatives from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan shared their experience in startup ecosystem development and gained insights from Korea's successful startup support programs. Following the exposure to the Korean start-up ecosystem, participants ideated potential follow-up initiatives that could leverage ADB’s technical and financing capabilities and regional cooperation under the CAREC Program.
|
|
Georgia’s Tech Startup Ecosystem Needs to Develop
An ecosystem of support for technology-based startups is emerging in Georgia, but there is still considerable room for development, refinement, and adaptation, according to a new report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
|
|
Baku ID innovation festival kicks off
The Baku ID innovation festival, Azerbaijan's and the region's premier startup and innovation event, is currently underway in Baku, Report informs. The festival, established with the support of SABAH.HUB Innovation Center has attracted an impressive lineup of attendees, including, the Science and Education Minister of Azerbaijan Emin Amrullayev and the Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov. More than 200 local and foreign investors, over 100 foreign and local start-ups, 5,000 participants, and over 50 partners participate in this year's Baku ID festival taking place in Baku Crystal Hall.
|
|
Unleashing Pakistan’s Potential in the Digital Economy
Pakistan is poised to capitalize on its growing youth population, expanding internet penetration, and thriving startup ecosystem to emerge as a significant player in the global digital economy.
|
|
UzVC: Pioneering Venture Capital in Uzbekistan
UzVC, the National Venture Capital Fund of Uzbekistan, is a key player in the country’s burgeoning startup ecosystem. Established in 2020, UzVC is headquartered in Tashkent and is dedicated to developing the venture capital market in Uzbekistan. The fund was created as a state-owned entity to provide critical support to startups and drive innovation across various sectors, including technology, fintech, and agritech
|
|
|
About CAREC Program
The CAREC 2030 Strategy emphasizes the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) across the CAREC Program’s spectrum of operations. As part of its CAREC Digital Strategy 2030 implementation and upcoming initiatives, efforts are being made to accelerate digital adoption in the Program’s five operational clusters.
|
|
|
|
|
|
