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 
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan implement Digital Silk Way project
The “Digital Silk Way” project implemented jointly by Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan aims to provide the shortest, fastest, and most advanced route for digital connectivity between Europe and Asia, making a significant contribution to the development of digitalization and connectivity in the wider region, including the Caucasus and the Central, and South Asia.
 Mongolia aims to become a digital nation 
 Mongolia shared the country’s digital initiatives aimed at building a digital nation at the Asia Tech Singapore 2022. The nation’s digital strategy that has six sub-objectives, such as digital infrastructure, e-governance, cybersecurity, digital literacy and inclusion, innovation and production, and national development accelerator, have been approved.
Opportunities and Upcoming Events
Astana Hub is accepting application for summer Startup School
Startup school is an educational program organised by Astana Hub for early-stage IT entrepreneurs. Applications are accepted until July 8, 2022, apply
Teknofest to host international startup summit in Istanbul in October
The Take Off Startup Summit will bring together stakeholders of the startup ecosystem, technology leaders and multinational companies, according to a statement issued by Teknofest.
Startup Ecosystem Initiatives 
New platform to facilitate partnerships for startups in Central Asia region
The CAREC program has launched a new platform to improve the ecosystem for startup businesses and discuss potential avenues for collaboration in the program’s member countries.  
Student teams pitch ideas at CAREC startup challenge demo day
“The challenge was a great initiative and opportunity for those who want to showcase their ideas and startup work,” said one of the finalists of the CAREC University Startup challenge on the Virtual Demo Day, the final session of the challenge.
Central Asian startups and corporations merge on a new platform
The CorpUp Central Asia platform was launched to help corporations find mature technological solutions for business challenges, implement a product approach, and develop a culture of innovation and internal entrepreneurship among employees.
Final stage of the competition "Startup Choikhona Sugd"
On June 18, the final stage of the StartUp Choikhona Sughd competition was held as part of the Sughd-2022 International Fair.
Reading 
Digitalization in these six sectors can boost regional cooperation in Central Asia
The article discusses the importance of cooperation among CAREC member countries to further strengthen digitalization in healthcare, education, agriculture, finance, trade, and tourism.
What’s fueling Pakistan’s emerging start-up ecosystem
In this episode of the McKinsey on Start-ups podcast, McKinsey executive editor Daniel Eisenberg speaks with investor Aatif Atwan and McKinsey Partner Abdur-Rahim Syed about the burgeoning start-up ecosystem in Pakistan.
Relocation of IT specialists to Central Eurasia: pros and cons
The article discusses the factors that should be considered to get a long-term and mutually beneficial effect from the arrival of IT specialists from neighboring countries. 
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.
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The purpose of this communication is to apprise you of various activities in the CAREC region relating to startup ecosystems, digitalization, and information technology.