DUSHANBE, 08/01/2024 /NIAT “Khovar”/.Back in January 2021, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, respected Emomali Rahmon, in order to strengthen the institutional foundations of the digital economy, develop information and communication infrastructure throughout the country, digitalize spheres of the national economy and expand the process of implementing “electronic government”, instructed the Government of the country, relevant structures and bodies to create Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies under the President of the country. At the beginning of 2024, by Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan was created. By decree of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Khurshed Faizullozoda was appointed director of the Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan.
NIAT “Khovar” correspondent interviewed Khurshed Faizullozoda.
NIAT “Khovar”: In 2024, on the initiative and with the support of the Leader of the nation, the President of the country, the respected Emomali Rahmon, the Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan began its activities. Despite the fact that not much time has passed since the establishment of the Agency, can you say what planned work has been completed to date?
Khurshed Faizullozoda: In the Republic of Tajikistan, with the guidance of the Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, respected Emomali Rahmon, reform measures are being implemented in all areas.
The creation of the Agency for Digital Innovation and Technology is also a logical continuation of structural reforms.
The created body lays the foundation for introducing the possibility of developing innovations and digital technologies in accordance with global and regional processes.
In general, the Agency was created with the aim of strengthening the structural foundations of the digital economy, developing infrastructure and expanding the process of implementing “electronic government”, as well as regulating the process of full implementation of non-cash payments and other issues related to the direction of innovation and digital technologies.
To ensure easy and reliable access to government services, the intersectoral information integration system is ready for implementation, taking into account the priority of ensuring the timely exchange of electronic information through existing databases.
Thus, interdepartmental integration is regulated on the basis of compliance with the principles of data protection, preventing their disclosure and implementing processes for ensuring information security using cryptographic methods.
In essence, innovation and digitalization are incremental activities, as each transition requires accurate and informed analysis.
NIAT "Khovar": What measures are being taken to train personnel in the field of innovation and digital technologies?
Khurshed Faizullozoda: To train industry specialists, the Agency organizes meetings and carries out work in cooperation with higher and secondary vocational educational institutions.
It should be noted that for this purpose, a cyber defense faculty has already been opened at the representative office of the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) in Dushanbe.
The agency's goal is to continue this process with other educational institutions.
In cooperation with the relevant authorities of the Kazakh side, industry specialists were covered by virtual training courses in the prescribed manner.
At the same time, the Agency plans to conduct short-term rounds of personnel training in cooperation with higher and secondary vocational educational institutions.
NIAT "Khovar": What are the objectives of the Agency, in which countries is training of specialists carried out?
Khurshed Faizullozoda: According to the Regulations, the Agency is an authorized government body in the field of innovation, management and regulation of the process of implementing “electronic government”, provision of public services in digital form, circulation of electronic documents, electronic signature, electronic commerce, regulation of artificial intelligence, improvement of technological processes and other issues related to the area of activity.
In order to further improve the regulatory framework, scientific, technical and innovative development in the country, the experience of the countries of the region and other states in this direction is being studied, cooperation with the private sector is being strengthened to create favorable conditions for development.
The Agency intends to continue to study the experience of developed countries in this area and take the necessary measures to improve its activities.
NIAT “Khovar”: In May of this year, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, respected Emomali Rahmon, at a meeting with representatives of the country’s science, spoke about the connection between science and production and the implementation of the achievements of scientists and inventors. At what level is the process of interaction between science and production now?
Khurshed Faizullozoda: Of course, in order to timely implement the instructions and instructions of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Leader of the Nation, respected Emomali Rahmon, expressed at a meeting with representatives of science and education of the country on May 30, 2024, a plan of internal departmental activities of the Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies under the President of the Republic was approved Tajikistan.
Within the framework of instructions and instructions, the connection between science and production and the practical application of the achievements of scientists and inventors are being strengthened.
Tajikistan is on the path to forming an innovative direction for the development of the economic and social spheres.
In accordance with the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period until 2030, further progress is envisaged based on the transition from the industrial scenario to the industrial-innovative one.
At the same time, strategic and program documents on the development of artificial intelligence and scientific and innovative development are being adopted and put into effect.
Innovation is a concept of innovation that is considered important in a country for use in all economic and social spheres.
In other words, taking into account such documents, conditions are created for the introduction of technologies in any industry and the introduction of innovations.
If we look at the example of the banking sector, we can say that over the past few years innovative reforms have been carried out, as a result of which products in the form of electronic wallets appeared in the banking system.
Other industries also have the opportunity to innovate because favorable conditions have been created. In particular, according to the Tax Code of the Republic of Tajikistan, innovative and technological activities are exempt from all types of taxes and customs duties, except for social taxes (personal income tax and social tax).
In the future, based on the experience of countries in the region and the world, the necessary measures will be taken in this direction.
NIAT "Khovar": What can you say about artificial intelligence and the achievements of our republic in this direction?
Khurshed Faizullozoda: One of the country’s achievements in 2022 is the adoption of the Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Tajikistan for the period until 2040, developed to implement the fourth strategic goal - accelerated industrialization of the republic.
The Strategy gives priority to institutional reforms, development of digital technologies, programming and the use of logarithms in the decision-making process, management and administration of services.
Taking into account the fact that artificial intelligence technologies are being introduced into various socio-economic spheres of the Republic of Tajikistan, the use of existing opportunities and elimination of shortcomings in the future will allow the gradual introduction of artificial intelligence technologies into various areas and become one of the main tools for ensuring sustainable economic development and technological progress in the country .
The use of artificial intelligence contributes to the process of effective implementation of digital government services, digital and green economy, increasing budget revenues, simplifying registration and decision-making processes, developing sectors of the national economy, improving the lives of the population and ensuring transparency.
Interview with A. SANGZOD
NIAT "Khovar"
