One of the year’s major technology events — Gitex AI Kazakhstan 2026 — is taking place in Almaty. In an exclusive interview, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) Vice President Bilal Al Rais explained why major global players have turned their attention to Central Asia for the first time and how much they are ready to invest in the local IT market right now.
On money and the “newcomer effect”
The main highlight of the interview was the financial potential of participants. According to Al Rais, the Almaty venue has become a hub for significant capital seeking new opportunities.
“Right now, more than 200 buyers have arrived. This month, they came with real money — over $61 million. At the same time, 82% of these buyers are planning purchases within 3 to 12 months. There is immediate demand for technological solutions,” said Bilal Al Rais.
He also emphasized that Kazakhstan has become a real discovery for global business: 80% of the companies participating in the exhibition had never operated in the country before.
On long-term plans in Almaty
When asked about the possibility of holding similar exhibitions in other countries in the region, such as Kyrgyzstan, the DWTC Vice President made it clear that organizers intend to focus on developing one strong hub rather than spreading resources.
“We have given our commitment to the Almaty government: we are going to be here for the next 10 years. And we truly mean all 10 years. We do not want to suddenly start other activities in the region that would distract from what we are building here. Let’s build this properly,” he stressed.
On market specifics and the future of AI
Bilal Al Rais noted that Kazakhstan’s technological demand differs from Dubai’s global trends. In Central Asia, both business and government are looking not just for “hype” technologies, but for practical solutions.
“Kazakhstan has a very specific focus: applied AI in security, fintech solutions, or AI for industry. There was also concrete demand for data centers. In the context of yesterday’s AI Council meeting with heads of state and ministers, discussions focused on moving from concept to implementation. This is not about theory — companies are already building and can use these solutions immediately.”
On why Kazakhstan was chosen
Preparation for an event of this scale took about eight months. Al Rais highlighted the flexibility of local authorities as a key factor.
“We work with ministries and governments around the world. When it comes to Kazakhstan, they are very proactive. Thanks to their initiative and ease of regulation, we were welcomed with open arms. This is exactly the kind of approach we look for in partnerships with governments.”
For the region, the launch of Gitex under Bilal Al Rais’s leadership means not only an inflow of $61 million in investments, but also the establishment of Almaty as the technological capital of Central Asia for the next decade. Projects in cybersecurity, data centers, and industrial AI will drive this process.
