Many companies exploring platforms for IT business development compare Kazakhstan’s Technopark — Astana Hub with Belarus’s Hi-Tech Park (HTP). However, HTP consistently remains the more attractive option due to its flexible legal framework, effective tax incentives, and proven mechanisms for supporting the IT ecosystem.
If you’re seeking a reliable platform for IT services export, investment attraction, and business scaling, our clients choose HTP for its transparency and well-established reputation. In this article, we’ll break down the key advantages of HTP over similar initiatives in Kazakhstan, from entry requirements to actual support in practice.
What is HTP?
The Hi-Tech Park (HTP) is a special legal regime for IT companies operating in the Republic of Belarus. It was established to boost IT services exports, attract foreign investment, and foster the growth of high-tech businesses. HTP residents benefit from significant tax exemptions, including no VAT, no corporate income tax, and reduced social contributions on employee payments.
HTP brings together hundreds of IT companies, from startups to major international developers. It features flexible regulations, simplified interaction with government authorities, and a robust professional ecosystem. Companies can operate under HTP remotely without physical office presence, making it especially convenient for outsourcing and export-oriented activities.
As a result, HTP is considered one of the most attractive IT regimes in Eastern Europe.
What is Astana Hub?
Astana Hub is an international technopark for IT startups, supported by the Kazakh government and located in the capital city. Its goal is to foster an innovation-driven economy and support digital entrepreneurship. Astana Hub participants receive access to tax preferences, education and acceleration programs, and infrastructure via a “one-stop-shop” model.
Both local and foreign companies operating in the IT sector can become residents. Benefits include exemption from corporate income tax, VAT, personal income tax, and mandatory contributions for foreign employees. However, a key requirement is that the company’s activities must be related to the creation and commercialization of IT products.
While Astana Hub actively promotes international collaboration, it still lacks the fine-tuned, flexible mechanisms for export-oriented business that HTP offers.
Legal Regimes: A Comparative Overview
Technoparks in Kazakhstan and Belarus provide special conditions for IT business development, including tax and administrative benefits. However, the legal frameworks of Astana Hub and HTP differ significantly in terms of flexibility and depth of incentives.
Astana Hub Legal Regime
Astana Hub offers tax exemptions on corporate income tax (20%), VAT, social tax, personal income tax, and mandatory contributions for foreign employees. Simplified registration procedures and a favorable legal regime are valid until 2065. However, residents must operate exclusively in the IT field and annually confirm their eligibility. Inclusion in the registry is contingent upon submitting documents through the Digital Bridge portal and approval by an expert commission.
Astana Hub also provides support through accelerators, grants, training programs, and discounted office rental. However, companies are typically required to maintain a physical presence in Kazakhstan and have a local legal entity (LLP), which adds organizational overhead.
HTP in Belarus
Belarus’s Hi-Tech Park offers one of the most favorable and flexible legal environments for IT businesses in Eastern Europe. Residents are exempt from VAT, profit tax, dividend income tax, and several other mandatory payments. Employers pay only 1% of the payroll fund as a contribution to the HTP Administration. Social contributions can be calculated at reduced rates.
Importantly, companies can be registered anywhere in Belarus; physical presence in the Park is not required. Residency status does not require annual re-confirmation, and the registration process is transparent. Remote work, export of services, and payments in foreign currency are allowed without restriction.
While Astana Hub is progressive, HTP remains more adaptable and convenient for scalable IT businesses, especially in the outsourcing and export domains.
Resident Obligations
Becoming a resident of a technopark, whether Astana Hub or HTP, grants access to tax benefits and infrastructure support, but also comes with specific responsibilities. These vary depending on jurisdiction. Below are the key requirements for residents of Astana Hub and Belarus’s Hi-Tech Park.
Astana Hub Resident Obligations
Companies applying for Astana Hub must engage in approved IT-related activities, such as software development, digital services, and work in AI, big data, or blockchain. Most of their revenue must come from these core activities.
Residents must:
- Annually confirm compliance with technopark requirements.
- Submit activity reports (economic indicators, employment stats, share of revenue from IT).
- Follow accounting and tax rules.
- Maintain a legal presence in Kazakhstan (usually via a registered LLP).
- Officially hire employees, pay taxes, and follow labor laws.
- Obtain permits or use simplified processes when hiring foreign specialists.
- Participate in Astana Hub training or acceleration programs, if required.
Non-compliance can result in penalties such as suspension or loss of residency, removal from the register, and revocation of tax privileges.
Sure! Here’s the English translation of your text about the responsibilities of Hi-Tech Park (HTP) residents and the comparison between Belarus’ HTP and Kazakhstan’s Astana Hub:
Responsibilities of Hi-Tech Park (HTP) Residents
The HTP approach is less formalized and more flexible. The main requirement is conducting activities within the approved types of work in the IT sector, which cover a fairly wide range. Turnover, export volume, and staff size are not regulated, making this regime especially convenient for small and medium-sized companies, as well as startups.
Key responsibilities include:
- Submitting quarterly reports to the HTP Administration.
- Paying a contribution equal to 1% of the payroll fund.
- Complying with the terms of the agreement with the Administration.
- Conducting activities in the declared field (e.g., software development, IT services, product technical support, etc.).
Notably, registering an office inside the HTP territory is not required — the company can be located anywhere in the country. There is also no requirement for a specific legal form — residents can be individual entrepreneurs or legal entities of various types.
Thus, the HTP offers a more flexible and predictable model compared to Astana Hub, where control and administrative burden are higher. This makes the Belarusian HTP particularly attractive for companies that value freedom and simplicity in doing business.
Features of Tech Parks in Belarus and Kazakhstan
Belarus’ Hi-Tech Park (HTP) and Kazakhstan’s Astana Hub are often compared as the largest digital economy development centers in their countries. Despite the shared goal of creating a favorable environment for IT companies and stimulating IT service exports, these platforms differ in several important respects. Below, we examine key differences and features in three important aspects: who can become a resident, permitted types of activity, and tax incentives.
Who Can Join
Astana Hub is primarily oriented towards residents of Kazakhstan. To become a participant, a company must be registered in the country, usually as an LLP (Limited Liability Partnership). The main requirement is compliance with ICT activities included in a specific list. Additionally, at least 70% of the organization’s income must come from these activities. Physical presence in Kazakhstan is mandatory; a legal address, office, and employees registered under the Labor Code are required. Startups may gain access through acceleration programs, but they must confirm the innovative potential and viability of their project.
In contrast, Belarus’ HTP rules are less strict and more flexible. Residents can be not only legal entities but also individual entrepreneurs. Registration can be done anywhere in Belarus; physical presence within the park’s territory is not required. There are no minimum employee count or income level requirements. Entry to the HTP is possible by submitting an application and a business plan, which are reviewed by a special commission. For foreign companies, there are no barriers beyond registering a legal entity in Belarus and conducting activities aligned with the approved directions. This approach makes HTP especially convenient for small teams, freelancer groups, and startups that want to operate without excessive bureaucracy.
Types of Activity
Astana Hub operates within an approved list of ICT activities, including software development, digital platform creation and operation, Big Data, blockchain, fintech, EdTech, cybersecurity, AI, Internet of Things (IoT), and telecommunications technologies. Deviation from the core ICT focus or an insufficient volume of related revenue can lead to the revocation of resident status. Companies must regularly submit reports confirming their compliance with the tech park’s criteria.
HTP offers a significantly broader and more flexible list of activities. It encompasses not only classic IT areas but also related fields such as technical support, infrastructure solutions, telecommunications services, educational technologies, AR/VR, scientific and technical development, analytical platforms, IT consulting services, and even crypto activities (mining, exchange, and storage of digital assets). Combining multiple activities is allowed, and new directions can be requested for inclusion. Thanks to this flexibility, HTP is an ideal platform for innovative and rapidly growing projects.
Tax Regime
Astana Hub provides its residents with significant tax benefits:
- Exemption from corporate income tax (20%).
- Exemption from VAT (12%) on ICT services.
- Exemption from dividend tax.
- Zero personal income tax rate for foreign IT specialists employed by resident companies.
However, these benefits come with obligations. The company must have local registration, a staff, maintain accounting according to Kazakhstan standards, and submit reports. Tax incentives are granted only if the company’s activities fully comply with declared directions, requiring regular confirmation and potentially leading to administrative burden.
HTP offers one of the most attractive tax regimes in the CIS:
- Exemption from profit tax.
- Zero VAT rate.
- Exemption from dividend tax.
- Simplified foreign exchange control.
- Possible minimal contributions to the Social Protection Fund.
There is no obligation to have an office in a specific zone — companies can operate from any city, including fully remote work. Foreign exchange transactions and export of IT services are allowed under simplified procedures without extensive paperwork. This is especially important for companies working with foreign markets.
Conclusion: While both aim to stimulate the IT sector, HTP offers a more flexible and predictable regime. Entry is easier, the list of activities is broader, and tax conditions are more stable. The government actively supports Astana Hub, which remains a more formalized structure with some restrictions. For most companies, especially export-oriented and smaller ones, HTP remains the preferred choice.
Steps to Join a Technopark
Joining a technopark is an important step for IT companies seeking access to tax incentives, government support programs, and opportunities for expansion in both local and international markets. Below are the key steps to becoming a resident of Astana Hub (Kazakhstan) and the Hi-Tech Park (HTP) in Belarus.
Joining Astana Hub
Step 1. Company Setup
Before applying, your company must be registered as a legal entity in Kazakhstan, typically as a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). The business must fall under one of the approved priority areas, and at least 70% of its revenue must come from the ICT sector. Having a physical office and local staff in the country is mandatory.
Step 2. Document Preparation
The application must be accompanied by a package of documents: incorporation documents, certificates of registration and tax status, a business plan outlining your activities, proof of compliance with the criteria, and information about your team.
Step 3. Online Application Submission
Applications are submitted electronically via the official Astana Hub portal or through authorized legal service platforms. Once submitted, the company receives a registration number and enters the review stage.
Step 4. Evaluation and Interview
Technopark experts review the submitted documents and analyze the business plan. Additional interviews or follow-up questions may be requested. This step is essential to assess the technological level of the project and its alignment with the requirements.
Step 5. Decision Making
The decision to grant resident status is typically made within a few weeks. If approved, the company signs an agreement with Astana Hub and gains access to benefits and services.
Step 6. Ongoing Reporting
Astana Hub residents must annually confirm that their activities remain in the eligible fields and submit compliance reports to maintain their status and privileges.
Joining the Hi-Tech Park (HTP) in Belarus
Step 1. Activity Compliance Check
First, confirm that your company’s main activities fall under the HTP’s approved list (software development, IT consulting, digital services, etc.). Activity requirements are generally more flexible compared to Astana Hub.
Step 2. Document Preparation
You’ll need to prepare an application form, a business project, copies of incorporation documents, and a description of the IT services your company plans to provide. The company must be registered in Belarus (as a legal entity or sole proprietor).
Step 3. Application Submission to HTP
Applications are submitted to the HTP Secretariat through the official website. The process is partially automated to simplify submission and reduce errors.
Step 4. Review and Decision
HTP’s expert commission reviews the application within a few weeks, evaluating the company’s prospects and compliance with HTP requirements. Additional meetings with company leadership may be scheduled if necessary.
Step 5. Agreement Signing and Resident Status
Upon approval, the company signs an agreement with HTP and obtains official resident status. This grants access to tax incentives, simplified currency regulation, and park infrastructure.
Step 6. Reporting and Status Maintenance
Residents must annually confirm that their activities remain within the approved scope and submit financial reports. Failure to comply may result in the loss of resident status.
General Recommendations and Considerations
Expert Support
The application process can be complex for companies unfamiliar with government procedures. Many IT businesses seek assistance from legal and consulting firms to prepare documents, develop business plans, and manage the entire application process.
Flexibility and Timing
HTP offers more flexibility and is well-suited for small startups and freelance teams. Astana Hub places greater emphasis on local presence and strict staffing requirements, which can extend the preparation stage.
Key Documents
In all cases, the business project is a core document evaluated by the commission. It should clearly present the company’s potential, development plans, and contribution to the IT sector.
Application Cycles
Some technoparks accept applications on specific dates or cycles, so it’s important to plan and submit on time.
How We Help with Joining HTP and International Support (Accounting, Payroll, EOR, PEO)
Our company offers comprehensive support to IT companies seeking to join the Hi-Tech Park (HTP) in Belarus and expand their operations internationally. We handle the whole application process from document preparation and submission to interaction with the park’s administration.
We also offer professional accounting and payroll services, which are crucial for HTP residents given their specific reporting and HR requirements.
For companies with remote employees or operations outside Belarus, we provide Employer of Record (EOR) and Professional Employer Organization (PEO) services. These solutions help streamline hiring, ensure compliance with local labor laws, and manage personnel efficiently without the need to establish a legal entity in a foreign country.
In this way, we provide end-to-end business support both within the HTP and across international operations from registration to daily management.
Conclusion
Choosing between technoparks in Belarus and Kazakhstan depends on your company’s goals. However, HTP offers clear advantages: a stable legal environment, flexible tax conditions, export support, and transparent requirements. It has proven to be a mature and effective platform for IT business development, whether you’re a startup, outsourcing provider, or product team.
While Astana Hub is rapidly developing, it still lags behind HTP in areas such as taxation, entry criteria, and regulatory clarity.
Suppose you’re planning to join HTP or any international technopark. In that case, our specialists will assist you at every stage, from feasibility analysis and document preparation to accounting and HR support, including payroll, EOR, and PEO services. We ensure legal security and help drive the efficient growth of your business in any chosen format.
How to contact us
For more information or a consultation on joining HTP or any international technopark in Belarus or abroad, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help and support you.
Phone and email communication options are available for your convenience:
- +375293664477 (WhatsApp/Telegram/Viber);
- info@spex.by.
