Kazakhstan and Germany Discuss Bilateral Cooperation in Digitalization
BERLIN, 28 June 2021 – The Kazakh Government and the German business community have held their 12th regular online meeting. The event, organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Germany in collaboration with “Kazakh Invest” and the German Eastern Business Association, was held under the marquee of "Expanding Digital Transformation Opportunities - Joint Projects as Growth Drivers". The online meeting brought together heads of Kazakhstan’s sectoral government agencies, leading Kazakh and German enterprises engaged in the development of trade, economic and investment cooperation, as well as representatives of national companies and business associations. Germany was represented by top executives from the Fraunhofer Institute, LANXESS, Schaeffler, Achenbach Buschhütten, Deutsche Bahn, Gigaset, SAP, DMT, John Deer Walldorf, Kuehne + Nagel, MULTIVAC Sepp Haggenmüller, among others.
Kazakh speakers at the event included the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs A.Aidarov, the Vice Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry A.Zhambakin, Vice Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development D.Sheglova, Chairman of the Board of JSC «Kazakhstan Industry and Export Centre "QazIndustry» B.Bekenov, and the Director General of «Astana Hub» M.Madiev.
The German side’s remarks were delivered by the President and CEO of Siemens Russia, Central Asia and Belarus, Dr. A.Liberov, the Managing Director of Baumüller Group, Dr. A.Baumüller, and expert for production systems at WILO SE Operational Excellence Group, Dr. K.Weissner.
Discussions were focused on the implementation of the "Digital Kazakhstan" state program, introduction of digital technologies in public services, education, healthcare, finance, transport and mining and metallurgical sectors, and the implementation of joint projects with German business on the digital transformation of the economy, including the technological upgrade of Kazakh enterprises utilizing «Industry 4.0» elements.
A key topic was devoted to the activities of «Astana Hub», the region's leading international IT start-up technology park, which provides tax, labour and visa benefits to more than 500 start-ups and 25 R&D facilities.