From May 20 to 23, 2025, the forum "Growth Point: Uzbekistan for Digital Export"was held in Tashkent with the support of the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The event brought together representatives of IT outsourcing, digital marketing, creative industries and game development interested in entering international markets.
The forum included three busy days of networking, conferences and practical workshops. Participants gained access to expert knowledge on ways to scale the export of digital services, optimize payments to remote employees, tax benefits, and open a virtual office in just three days.
For the first time in its history, Uzbekistan entered the top 100 countries of the updated Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025 rating, published by StartupBlink on May 20, 2025. The survey, considered one of the most comprehensive in the world, covered 1,400 cities and 110 countries, identifying the leaders of the innovative economy. The index was compiled using data from Crunchbase, Semrush, and more than 100 government agencies.
Uzbekistan has demonstrated impressive potential in digital exports, supported by the steady growth of the ICT services market. From 2018 to 2022, the market volume grew almost 2.5 times, and by 2027, it was expected to increase to $2.836 billion. At the same time, the export of IT services significantly outstripped the export of ICT goods, confirming the high attractiveness of the direction, equipment, salary compensation, personnel training-all this without any risks.
First Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan Oleg Pekos noted:
"The indicators clearly indicate that we are moving in the right direction. This is the result of consistent work and an open dialogue with the business community. For each company developing projects in Uzbekistan, a personal supervisor is appointed to help establish interaction with government agencies and speed up the launch of a business.
Special thanks to the representatives of the diplomatic corps for their participation — their attention to the digital industry of Uzbekistan is of great importance.
Uzbekistan offers unique conditions for the creation and development of IT companies. We are sure that digital technologies do not need borders. We invite everyone to cooperate."
Azamat Rakhmon-zoda, Head of export to the CIS countries, MENA and Turkey at IT Park Uzbekistan, stressed::
"Uzbekistan is a growth driver in Central Asia. Foreign trade turnover is growing 2.5 times and reaches $ 65.9 billion, the share of foreign direct investment is 16.9% of GDP, and exports are growing by 17.8%.
In a country with a population of 38 million people, 60% of whom are young people under the age of 30, a powerful digital ecosystem is being formed. IT Park in Tashkent covers 6.3 hectares, and 14 branches have been opened throughout the country. Since 2017, the number of residents has increased by 18 times, and the number of companies with foreign capital-by 173 times.
Foreign companies wishing to open an office in Uzbekistan are provided with unique conditions: free offices, equipment, salary compensation, staff training - all this without any risks."
Dmitry Falaleev, CEO of Voice Solutions VB, shared his experience of entering the Uzbek market:
"We have been successfully operating in Russia since 1997, and expansion was a natural step. It was important for us to find a country with human resources potential and growth support. We chose Uzbekistan — it combined the presence of a Russian-speaking population and favorable conditions from the state.
We particularly noted the tax benefits provided by IT Park, including income tax breaks-this helped attract qualified personnel. We opened our first office in Tashkent in 2022 and immediately hired 36 employees. Later, we opened five offices in Tashkent, Ferghana, Chirchik and Nukus. Together, we can conquer new horizons and implement large-scale international projects.
We felt the support of IT Park in every region. Thanks to the "Zero Risk" program, we opened a center in Nukus without unnecessary risks. The main thing is that IT Park did not stop there, programs were constantly updated, and residents ' opinions were taken into account. This has made Uzbekistan a really attractive country for outsourcing business."
At that time, Voice Solutions operated five offices in Uzbekistan, employing 725 people, including 500 contact center operators. The company provided voice and text support, helping customers quickly resolve issues."
General Director of IT Park Uzbekistan Abdulakhad Kuchkarov at the event, which brought together more than 160 participants from Uzbekistan, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, he stressed::
"Our strength lies in our hospitality, dedicated team and young talents who create the future of IT. We are convinced that the impossible does not exist, and with the support of the Ministry of Digital Technologies and the President, we are ready to implement major projects. Uzbekistan is open to cooperation and supports everyone who wants to develop IT business in our country. Together, we achieve more.
As part of the event, Oleg Pecos, First Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies, presents Dilshod Polatov, First Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Octobank, with an award for his contribution to the development of digital exports in Uzbekistan. This is a recognition of companies that form the reputation of Uzbekistan as a reliable partner in the field of IT exports.
For the first time, Uzbekistan is included in the top 100 countries of the updated Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025 rating, published by StartupBlink on May 20, 2025. The survey, recognized as one of the most comprehensive in the world, covers 1,400 cities and 110 countries, identifying the leaders of the innovative economy. The index is based on data from Crunchbase, Semrush, and more than 100 government agencies.
Uzbekistan shows impressive potential in digital exports, which is supported by the steady growth of the ICT services market. From 2018 to 2022, the market volume grew almost 2.5 times, and by 2027 it is expected to increase to $2.836 billion. At the same time, the export of IT services significantly outstrips the export of ICT goods, confirming the high attractiveness of the direction."
Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan Sherzod Shermatov said during the first GSMA M360 conference in the Central Asian region:
"In 2025, Uzbekistan for the first time reached the milestone of $1 billion in the export of IT services. The goal was to reach $5 billion by 2030. Thanks to the bold policies of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the country has been rapidly modernizing since 2017. The Internet, which was previously available only in the capital, has become available all over the country — in schools, hospitals, and rural areas. More than 80% of government services are now available online, and we were aiming to enter the top 30 countries in terms of e-government development by 2030."
The Minister stressed that over 30 new offices were opened in the IT Park every month, bureaucratic barriers were minimized, tax incentives were provided to companies and employees, and IT personnel training was supported by partial subsidizing of education.
Thanks to this system support, IT Park has become a center of attraction for technology business and investment. In conclusion, Shermatov expressed confidence that the conference participants have become an active part of the rapid growth of Uzbekistan's IT exports.
The producer of "Artcraft" company Hasan Salikhov noted the following:
With the support of IT Park Uzbekistan, the creative industry of our country is developing. Exports of these services are steadily growing: more than 50% of Artcraft's services are already focused on foreign markets. Thanks to the personal support of the IT Park team, Artcraft was able to expand its ideas and confidently enter the global market.
Elnara Veliyeva-Director of Forward Gateway, a mobile, PC and console game development company:
“Why Uzbekistan? First of all, this is a strong state support, transparent conditions for international activities and favorable benefits from the IT Park. The ability to pay salaries in foreign currency and enjoy tax benefits allowed us not only to work steadily, but also to develop rapidly.
We attract local and foreign specialists, and this harmonious approach is already yielding excellent results. We managed to form a multinational, experienced team that speaks English, Spanish and Chinese.
Our first major success was the relaunch of the game “Royal Quest", which after the update brought in more than $ 1 million in revenue. Thanks to an open dialogue with the Ministry of Digital Technologies and IT Park, we have legalized all processes related to international payments.
At the beginning of our activity, the idea of publishing games from Uzbekistan seemed almost an adventure. Today I can say with confidence that this is the path to success.”
