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
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Digitalization Policy and Initiatives
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Georgia Launches 'Do IT in Georgia' Platform to Foster IT Skill Development and High-Paying Jobs
The Georgian Agency for Innovation and Technology has launched the "Do IT in Georgia" platform, aiming to help citizens acquire high-demand IT skills and secure well-paying jobs in the industry. The platform includes programs such as the 5000IT training initiative, EU-funded employment and certification programs, coding courses for school students, and blockchain courses, with the goal of strengthening the IT and startup ecosystem in Georgia.
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Kyrgyzstan Aims to Become Central Asia's E-commerce and Logistics Hub
Kyrgyzstan aims to position itself as a logistics and e-commerce hub for Central Asia through the development of innovative logistics centers. The country is actively working on optimizing government regulations and creating a favorable environment for e-commerce growth, recognizing the significance of e-commerce as a driver of its digital economy.
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China and Tajikistan Pledge to Enhance Digital Cooperation for Regional Prosperity
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda have affirmed their commitment to enhancing their countries' digital cooperation. They intend to deepen collaboration in various digital sectors, advance high-quality Belt and Road digital initiatives, and utilize digital tools and technologies to enhance coordination within international organizations, such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), to promote regional digital peace and prosperity.
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Opportunities and Upcoming Events
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Star Venture Program in Uzbekistan to Boost Startups
At the ICTWEEK UZBEKISTAN 2023 Startup Summit, the launch of the Star Venture program in Uzbekistan was officially announced. The initiative aims to provide support to innovative startups, offering valuable assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises in their quest for success, with applications open until November 27.
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5th StrategEast State and IT Eurasian Forum in Almaty
This year StrategEast State and IT Eurasian Forum will be held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on November 7-8, 2023. The Forum brings together representatives of global and local tech companies, governments, international financial institutions, and development agencies. It provides an opportunity to discuss what needs to be done to enhance the innovative economy across the region.
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Amazon Web Services Community Day in Almaty
The event will take place on November 17-18 in Almaty. It is dedicated to Amazon Web Services cloud technologies. Here, community members and everyone interested in this topic will be able to exchange knowledge and experience and take part in GameDay simulation.
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Cybersecurity and Digital Transformation Conference in Tashkent
The Cybersecurity and Digital Transformation Conference will be held in Tashkent on November 1. It is an international series of events for companies that want to stay protected during digital transformation. Speakers will share their experience in adapting to cybersecurity challenges and building digital infrastructures for business.
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Tehnikum Bloggers Award in Tashkent
Tehnikum Bloggers Award is annual award for bloggers of Uzbekistan. The event will take place on November 24 and attended by more than 300 influencers and 4,500 visitors - marketers, entrepreneurs, and IT specialists.
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“IT without fails” conference in Almaty
The conference will be held on November 23 by Rocket Firm and the AGIMA community of digital agencies, web studios and productions. The event will discuss the development of IT projects, team outsourcing, competitive advantage of IT companies and other interesting topics.
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Startup Ecosystem Initiatives
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Georgia Explores Tech and Startup Collaboration with Japan
Avtandil Kasradze, the Chair of Georgia's Innovation and Technology Agency, visited Japan to discuss the development of Georgia's innovation and technology ecosystem and to promote the internationalization of Georgian startups in the Japanese market. During his visit, a memorandum of cooperation was signed with the Japanese startup support company Tsucrea.
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Pakistan's Government to Launch Startup Fund and 5G Internet by 2024
Pakistan's government plans to establish a "Pakistan Startup Fund" to attract venture capital investment and introduce 5G internet by mid-2024. The fund, with a budget of over Rs2 billion, will be matched by private investors, with commitments from venture capitalists to provide an additional Rs8 billion for startups, as the government also aims to create co-working spaces for half a million IT freelancers and bolster the IT industry's role in the country's economy.
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Turkmenistan Initiates 'Mentor School' to Foster Youth Entrepreneurship
In an effort to promote youth entrepreneurship, the Union of Economists of Turkmenistan is launching a "Mentor School" for experienced entrepreneurs, lawyers, business consultants, and IT specialists. The training program, developed by international and national experts, aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed for effective mentorship of young entrepreneurs and startups
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Terminal and Future Lab Partner to Accelerate Georgia's Startup Ecosystem
Georgia's co-working space, Terminal, and startup ecosystem development company, Future Lab, have joined forces to boost the country's startup landscape. This collaboration aims to accelerate the growth of the startup ecosystem, providing Georgian startups with access to investment capital, training, partnerships, and market opportunities, with a focus on emerging sectors like artificial intelligence and green technologies.
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Starlink's Impact on Mongolia's Digital Transformation
The introduction of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet in Mongolia has the potential to revolutionize the country's digital landscape. By providing high-speed, low-latency internet access to remote areas and addressing infrastructure challenges, Starlink can bridge the digital divide, enhance connectivity in urban centers, and promote economic growth, but its success will depend on government support, regulatory frameworks, and digital literacy initiatives.
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Exploring Azerbaijan's Startup Funding Landscape: Top VC Funds and Angel Investors
Azerbaijan's growing startup ecosystem is fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, positioning the country as a gateway for companies looking to expand into regional and global markets. The article provides a list of top venture capital funds and angel investors in Azerbaijan, offering potential funding opportunities for startups in the region.
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China and Mongolia's Focus on Green and Digital Transformation under Belt and Road Initiative
China and Mongolia are emphasizing cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to promote green and digital transformation. The BRI aims to provide digital infrastructure for developing countries, facilitate digital transformation and inclusive economic growth, and create feasible solutions to address imbalances in the digital field, supporting the development and prosperity of both countries and the world.
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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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