On March 20, Anatoly Motkin, President of StrategEast, participated in the World Bank roundtable on Developing ICT Industry and Digital Jobs in Central Asia, held in Washington, D.C. The event brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for scaling the region’s ICT sector, addressing digital skills gaps, and fostering innovation-driven economic growth.
With Central Asia’s ICT industry rapidly expanding due to government initiatives, private investment, and global demand for digital services, the roundtable focused on how emerging technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and digital platforms are transforming industries and labor markets. Participants emphasized the urgent need for workforce adaptation to ensure that the region’s talent remains competitive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
During the event, experts and policymakers explored the challenges and opportunities associated with digital transformation. They examined ways to bridge digital skills gaps, particularly in AI and cloud computing, and discussed strategies for expanding the ICT sector both locally and internationally. The role of digitally enabled entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth was also a key topic of discussion.
The roundtable featured opening and closing remarks from Tatiana Proskuryakova, Country Director for Central Asia at the World Bank, and Michel Rogy, Practice Manager for Digital ECA at the World Bank. Anatoly Motkin, in his scene-setting presentation, highlighted the role of IT hubs, digital talent development, and private sector engagement in unlocking Central Asia’s full digital potential. He was joined by Bagrat Yengibaryan, Director of the Enterprise Incubator Foundation.
The discussion included insights from Magzhan Madiyev, Founding CEO of Astana Hub in Kazakhstan; Jamila Khalibaeva, Global Marketing Director of IT-Park in Uzbekistan; Chubak Temirov, Deputy Director of High Technology Park in Kyrgyzstan, who joined via Zoom; and Azizjon Azimi, Founder of Zypl.ai in Tajikistan.
The roundtable concluded with an interactive session where participants from across Central Asia shared best practices and explored opportunities for regional collaboration. As Central Asia positions itself as a global player in the digital economy, forums like this provide a crucial platform for aligning policy, investment, and workforce development to maximize ICT-driven job creation and competitiveness.
