At the international exhibition GITEX AI Kazakhstan 2026 in Almaty, a panel session titled "Trusted Kazakhstan" was held to discuss why specialists and tech businesses are choosing the country for work and growth. Participants discussed real-life relocation cases, project launches, and company scaling, El.kz reports citing the Ministry of AI and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The session highlighted how Kazakhstan is steadily building an environment attractive to IT talent and entrepreneurs. This involves more than just tax incentives; it focuses on establishing a comprehensive ecosystem for living and business expansion.
The platform brought together representatives from various sectors, ranging from artificial intelligence to the gaming industry. Participants in the discussion included Alan Salimov, an engineer specializing in graph neural networks; Nikita Susoyev, Client Relations Director at Datanomix; Julia Pimpe, founder of SimplYou; and Innokentiy Sidorov, a manager at MyTona.
The session was moderated by the head of Astana Hub, Magzhan Madiyev. Participants explored the factors currently driving interest in Kazakhstan, including the entrepreneurial environment, access to markets, quality of life, and the ability to rapidly scale projects.
Open Digital Economy
The central focus was on the strategy for developing the tech sector. Kazakhstan is prioritizing integration into the global digital economy and the attraction of international specialists.
"Trusted Kazakhstan reflects the country’s strategic course toward creating an open and competitive technological environment integrated into the global digital economy. Kazakhstan is consistently building an environment where international IT and AI specialists, entrepreneurs, and tech companies choose the country for long-term work and scaling.
We are developing tools to attract IT talent, including the Digital Nomad Visa, Digital Nomad Residency, and E-residency, while also forming a holistic infrastructure for life and work - from access to government services to modern urban solutions. This allows us not only to attract specialists but also to strengthen human capital through knowledge exchange, team development, and the formation of new competencies. As a result, a sustainable foundation is created for the growth of tech entrepreneurship and IT exports," Magzhan Madiyev emphasized
Relocation and Growth Experience
Speakers shared personal stories of moving to and working in the country. They noted that the demand for specialists and digital transformation has grown significantly in recent years.
"In my five years in Kazakhstan, I have seen how the demand for human capital and digital transformation has surged. During this time, I haven't just built a career; I’ve also started a family, so for me, this is no longer just a market, but a place where I envision my future. My team and I implement projects for the country’s largest companies, including Kazakhtelecom JSC, Halyk Bank, Magnum, and other market leaders. Our IT services are already present in foreign markets from Uzbekistan to the USA. The Digital Nomad program played a vital role in this journey: when the state and Astana Hub remove bureaucratic barriers, specialists can focus on technology, strategy, and innovation. The digital nomad status gave me confidence in the future and the opportunity to invest my experience into the development of Kazakhstan's IT ecosystem," shared Nikita Susoyev.
The Role of Human Capital
Participants placed a special emphasis on the development of the professional community. According to the experts, the development of artificial intelligence and the digital economy is impossible without a strong talent pool.
This involves creating conditions for education, experience sharing, and the launch of new projects. Kazakhstan is increasingly seen as a platform where one can not only work but also build a long-term career.
Kazakhstan as a Regional Entry Point
Experts also noted the country’s strategic geographic location. Kazakhstan is becoming a convenient entry point for the markets of Central Eurasia. This provides companies with the opportunity to scale and test solutions across different markets using local infrastructure and support.
The GITEX AI Kazakhstan 2026 exhibition is taking place on May 4–5 in Almaty, bringing together representatives from over 60 countries. The event is held with the support of the relevant ministry, the city administration (Akimat), andAstana Hub.
