Kazakhstan's IT services exports up 34-fold

Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said almost 70 percent of the country's cross-border payments with SCO member states are already made in national currencies. He made the remarks at a meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government.

Bektenov named simplifying trade and developing transport corridors among the cooperation priorities, with special attention to the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. Plans call for raising cargo volume on the route to 10 million tonnes per year. Kazakhstan also proposed expanding digital cooperation and creating a network of artificial intelligence centres under SCO auspices.

Bektenov said Kazakhstan's IT services exports grew 34 times over the past five years and exceeded $1 billion. The country intends to strengthen its position as a regional digital hub and share technological solutions with partners.