Anatoly Motkin, President of StrategEast contributed to the 7th edition of the Oxford Diplomatic Dispatch with an article “Digital Central Asia is to become an inclusive and well-integrated global IT HUB”.
In his article, Motkin sheds light on the region’s historical reliance on natural resources and the limitations it imposed on economic growth.
However, Mr. Motkin highlights the positive impact of the burgeoning IT industry, stating, “It’s amazing to see how just one new sector of the local economy – the IT industry – delivers an overall positive transformation to the region.” The IT sector introduces values such as transparency, accountability, rule of law, private property protection, gender equality, inclusivity, diversity, rural area development, and connectivity.
Central Asia’s transformation in the IT sector, coupled with a high level of human capital, positions the region to integrate effectively into the global supply chain and attract investments from developed markets such as the US, EU, UK, Japan, South Korea, and the Gulf.
Mr. Motkin emphasizes the collaborative effort of Central Asian countries in creating and promoting the IT industry. For the first time, these nations perceive themselves as a unified digital region capable of contributing to global technological progress. With the right approach and support from the global IT industry and international financial institutions, Central Asia has a genuine opportunity to become a reliable IT hub, connecting the West with the East and the North with the South.
This vision aligns with the broader narrative of Central Asia as an emerging player in the global IT landscape, showcasing the region’s potential to bridge technological advancements across diverse geographies.
