UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic conducted digital mission for assessing the digitalization process in Kyrgyzstan and developing a digital strategy. The hybrid mission on Digital transformation to Kyrgyzstan held from 19-30 April 2021. Let’s talk with Hannes Astok, International Consultant on Digital Governance.

Please share your insights after provided technical support in assessing and identifying substantive entry points for digital transformation in Kyrgyzstan?

The Kyrgyz Government intends to improve the entire public administration through the introduction of e-governance at all levels. With the support from Estonia, the government has already developed a system of inter-agency electronic interaction "Tunduk" that aims at connecting all state bodies and complete the transfer of state services to electronic format.

The system “Tunduk”, online data exchange gateway between government and private sector has been running since September 2018. To date, more than 165 million data transactions have taken place.

According to the Global Competitiveness Index, Kyrgyzstan in 2019 was ranked 96. Based on its analysis, the following key factors have been blocking sustainable progress: slow innovation activities, low maturity of technologies and infrastructure, limited local market and weak governance and institutions. It is expected that digitalisation can be used by government to improve government effectiveness, better connect to their citizens through e-government tools, which might help minimise inequality by providing access to basic services and promote economic and social rights. Development and introduction of e-services for can assist government to achieve sustainable development goals and empower communities, especially youth, women, groups living in vulnerable situations and rural communities.

Which digital sector more improved in Kyrgyzstan?

The Kyrgyz Republic’s emerging Information and Communication Technology ICT sector[1] is poised to be a major economic driver to power modernization and regional development, offering significant investment and trade opportunities in the “Virtual Silk Road”.  While the country has lagged behind its regional neighbors in ICT access and digital infrastructure development, the IT sector is one of the fastest growing industries in the Kyrgyz Republic.  

In the last seven years, the Kyrgyz Republic has risen in the rankings of the Global Innovation Index from 117^th (2013) to 88^th (2020) among 129 countries, outperforming Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan in innovation digital adoption activities. It is expected that digitalisation can be used by government to improve government effectiveness, better connect to their citizens through e-government tools, which might help minimise inequality by providing access to basic services and promote economic and social rights.

What is the biggest opportunity and biggest challenge/hindrance to successful digital development in Kyrgyzstan?

One of the opportunities is President’s and Government’s commitments along with high mobile internet speed and number of internet users. The digital transformation policy of the Kyrgyz Republic is formulated in the National Development Strategy of the Kyrgyz Republic 2018-2040, the Programme of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic “Unity. Trust. Creation” 2018-2022 and the National Digital Transformation Programme “Digital Kyrgyzstan-2019-2023”, all emphasized the need for digital revolution and the use of digital tools to support the modernization of the economy.  The Concept  “Digital Kyrgyzstan 2019-2023” includes a Roadmap enabling to implement the Concept during the mentioned period. The Concept reflects the Kyrgyz Government's continued policy commitment to tackle digital transformation in every sphere of social, economic, and political life during the timeframe of 5 years. It provides guidance for all interrelated sectors associated with digitalization.  A series of initiatives and partnerships had been launched in support of these modernization programmes, including Taza Koom, and most recently Tunduk, which aims to launch Kyrgyzstan further into the digital world.

.The main challenges are low digital literacy and lack of a targeted investment plan for digital human capital. Despite the dynamic development of the Kyrgyz IT sector, a key barrier to the expansion of the IT sector is the lack of trained IT specialist and attrition of talented Kyrgyz developers to overseas employers.

Prepared within the Effective Governance Through Socioeconomic Recovery Facility in Kyrgyzstan project.

[1] http://ict.gov.kg/index.php?r=site%2Fsubord