Japarov and a robot. Photo: Press service of the President of Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan’s first IT hub, Technopark, has opened in Bishkek. President Sadyr Japarov attended the inauguration ceremony, according to his press service.
The president was welcomed in the state language by a robot named BilimBot, developed by Kyrgyz programmers with support from the High Technology Park, which is tasked with promoting the country’s IT sector. Also on display were services for commerce, job and housing searches, and a platform for automated cryptocurrency trading.
“Today we launch the operations of an IT hub that will become a crucial foundation for the future development of our country. Once, there was a factory here that made a significant contribution to the republic’s economy. Years have passed, times have changed, and now, thanks to entrepreneurial initiative and state support, this space is being transformed into a modern site for IT business. May this new IT hub become a symbol of progress and prosperity for us all. I congratulate you on this landmark event,” said Japarov.
Total investment in the construction and outfitting of the creative space amounted to 2 billion soms ($22.87 million). Technopark is envisioned as a center for digital innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. The site features office space, coworking zones, conference halls, a podcast recording studio, and amphitheaters. According to the president’s press service, developers, designers, analysts, and other IT professionals will have access to meeting rooms, a library, dining areas, and recreational zones.
The hub spans 14,000 square meters and is designed to accommodate 1,500 workstations, the statement said. However, the national news agency Kabar reports a different figure: the Technopark is said to provide more than 3,000 jobs. It already houses 250 resident companies, 115 individual offices, and 344 open-space workstations.
