Within the launch of EBRD Transition Report in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Anatoly Motkin took part in the expert panel discussion “Uzbekistan’s Digital Readiness and Economic Development”.

Mr. Motkin, together with experts and representatives of the IT industry, discussed the problems of the digital divide between countries and sectors of the economy.

In particular, he noted, “When gifted young people leave the country, this country loses its future. This especially affects young people and residents of rural areas. However, if we provide them an opportunity to get a well-paid job (in remote mode), I have no doubt that they would prefer to stay in their country and work from home. Our IT HUB project solves this problem. We help young people from the regions to learn IT skills and get a job offer.”

The speakers of the event included Mr. Talantbek Imanov, Minister of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Ms. Ayten Rustamova, Director of the EBRD Regional Office in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

The report was presented by Ms. Zsoka Koczan, Senior Economist at the EBRD Office of the Chief Economist, and Mr. Eric Livni  Regional Lead Economist for Central Asia at EBRD. The main issue, according to EBRD representatives, is the low quality of education in Central Asia and the “digital brain drain”.

Guests of the event Mr. Almaz Bekenov, representative of AUCA, Andrey Gurinov, Chairman of KSSDA, Mr. Chubak Temirov, Director of the High-Tech Park of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tattuu Mambetaliyeva, Director of the Foundation “Civil Initiatives on Internet Policy” also held an active discussion on readiness for the digital economy.