Uzbekistan expands international digital cooperation: Qatari Ambassador discusses investments, startups and participation in ICT forum with the Ministry of Digital Development

Uzbekistan continues to build strategic ties in the field of digital technologies, relying on international cooperation with the states of the Middle East. One of the most significant steps in this direction was the meeting of the Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan Sherzod Shermatov with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar Hassan bin Hamza Hashim.

During the visit of the Qatari delegation to the Ministry of Digital Technologies, the IT Park Uzbekistan ecosystem was presented, including key areas of startup support, acceleration mechanisms, as well as plans for localization of global digital solutions. The Ambassador also got acquainted with the activities of the UZINFOCOM Center, which plays an important role in the digitalization of public services and infrastructure in Uzbekistan.

The parties focused on finding joint solutions to stimulate the growth of digital startups and create conditions for attracting Qatari investment in the national IT sector. A special interest was aroused by the possibility of exporting Uzbek digital products to the markets of the Persian Gulf countries using Qatar as a logistics and investment hub.

One of the proposals from Uzbekistan was Qatar's participation in ICT Week Uzbekistan 2025. The organization of a national pavilion with the participation of leading Qatari IT companies was discussed, which will open up new opportunities for B2B contacts, technology transfer and presentation of solutions at the regional level.

In addition, the parties discussed the prospects for cooperation between Qatari venture funds and Uzbek startups. Given the growing demand for venture financing from IT entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan, such a partnership can become a catalyst for a new investment cycle. Emphasis was also placed on the development of human capital — one of the key tasks of the digital economy, especially in the context of transnational exchange of experience, internships and advanced training programs.

Uzbekistan relies on the export of digital solutions as a new driver of economic growth, and partnership with Qatar in this direction can have a significant impact on the country's regional and global positions in the high-tech sector.