Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Uzbekistan Tech Conference, organized by the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan and IT Park Uzbekistan, took place on 13 February 2025, in Dubai.

The event brought together leading tech companies, investors, and venture capital representatives interested in collaboration with Uzbekistan. More than 130 representatives from 105 UAE-based companies attended the conference.

In his opening remarks, Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov emphasized the importance of IT sector reforms and the government's commitment to fostering a favorable environment for global tech firms. He highlighted that with strong state support, Uzbekistan's IT sector is rapidly evolving, driving the growth of the startup ecosystem and the IT services industry.

Saqr Binghalib, Executive Director for AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Development, also addressed the participants, expressing interest in further cooperation.

Mahliyo Muksinova, Director of IT Services Export Development at IT Park Uzbekistan, underlined Uzbekistan's growing role as a global tech hub. She noted that over the past five years, the country has significantly strengthened its position in the IT industry, with the number of foreign companies increasing several times and IT service exports reaching 89 countries.

During the conference, IT Park Uzbekistan representatives showcased key initiatives aimed at advancing high-tech industries and expanding into international markets. Uzbekistan reaffirmed its status as a promising IT hub, offering foreign businesses favorable conditions, access to skilled talent, and integration opportunities within the global tech ecosystem.

Several industry leaders shared their success stories of working in Uzbekistan:

Rajit Nanda, CEO of DataVolt, spoke about a joint project to build eco-friendly data centers in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Technologies and IT Park Uzbekistan, highlighting the country’s already well-developed tech infrastructure.

Kevin Handa, CTO and CPO of Uzum, presented the success story of Uzum, Uzbekistan’s first unicorn valued at $1 billion, citing government initiatives and a favorable business environment as key drivers of its growth.

Azzamat Turgun, Head of Business Development for UZINFOCOM in the MENA region, introduced MyID Palm, an innovative palm-scanning payment technology developed by Uzbek specialists, demonstrating the high qualifications of local IT professionals.

Aziz Rakhimov, Head of Content at ARO (AX Tech), shared practical insights on exporting IT services from Uzbekistan to the UAE, emphasizing the country’s strategic advantages as a tech hub.

In his closing remarks, Farhod Ibragimov, Chairman of IT Park Uzbekistan’s Supervisory Board, outlined the key factors that make Uzbekistan an attractive destination for IT businesses. He stressed the country's strategic location, developed infrastructure, highly skilled workforce, and comprehensive government support, which create a solid foundation for scaling businesses and entering international markets.

Following the main conference, IT Park Uzbekistan startups participated in a DIFC Innovation Hub workshop, where Alex Pavan, Chief of Staff at Ignyte, provided practical recommendations on attracting investors and entering the UAE market. His expert insights covered project pitching, business networking, and leveraging Dubai’s innovation ecosystem for business expansion.

The conference served as a platform for establishing new business connections, launching joint projects, and fostering strategic partnerships between international and Uzbek tech firms. Participants explored tax incentives, IT business support measures, and talent development programs, generating strong interest in opening offices in Uzbekistan. Interested companies were invited to attend the Offshore Outsourcing Conference on February 26–27 in Tashkent, offering a deeper look into the country’s tech potential.

The Uzbekistan Tech Conference in Dubai reinforced Uzbekistan’s image as a rapidly growing IT hub open to international cooperation. The country continues to support innovation and develop high-tech industries, creating favorable conditions for global IT businesses.