# IT Park Uzbekistan

IT Park Uzbekistan is a government-supported technology hub in Uzbekistan, established in 2019 under the aegis of the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The organization contributes to the country's aim to transform Uzbekistan into a global IT hub by supporting startups, IT companies, and digital service exporters.

## Establishment

During the first visit of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to India from September 30 to October 2, 2018, Uzbekistan and India agreed to expand cooperation in the IT sector. Uzbekistan expressed interest in creating an IT Park in collaboration with Indian companies, leveraging their expertise in software development and startup acceleration. IT Park was established under the initiative of President Mirziyoyev to strengthen the startup ecosystem and support innovative projects in Uzbekistan. It was officially launched on January 10, 2019, following the adoption of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 17 "On Measures to Create a Technological Park of Software Products and Information Technologies." First building of IT Park Uzbekistan opened its doors on July 24, 2019. On November 20, 2019, President Mirziyoyev visited the IT Park and laid a symbolic foundation stone for its next phase of development.

## Overview

IT Park Uzbekistan is a state-backed initiative aimed at developing the country's IT sector and positioning Uzbekistan as a regional technology hub. Established to support the growth of the digital economy, IT Park provides infrastructure, tax incentives, and regulatory support to IT companies operating in the country. The initiative focuses on expanding IT exports, increasing the number of resident companies, and creating employment opportunities within the sector.

## Leadership

The IT Park Uzbekistan team is led by:
* Farkhod Ibragimov – Chairman of Supervisory Board
* Abdulakhad Kuchkarov – Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
* Makhliyo Muksinova – Services Export Development Director
* Bekhzod Umirzakov – Infrastructure Development Director
* Jamila Khalibaeva – Global Marketing Director
* Jahongir Rajabov – Business Development Director

## Key support programs

IT Park serves as an authorized entity responsible for delivering government-initiated support programs designed specifically for its members.

### 0% Tax

Members of IT Park are eligible for tax incentives, including exemptions from corporate and personal income taxes, VAT, and customs duties until 2040. These measures are designed to lower operational costs and attract both local and international companies.

### Zero Risk

This program mitigates risks for foreign investors by providing support for establishing operations in Uzbekistan, including free office space for 12 months, followed by rental at average market rates or with a purchase option with interest-free installments; free technical equipment for up to 100 employees and partial coverage of HR costs. Wage reimbursements are offered based on company size: 5% for companies with 20–50 employees, 10% for companies with 50–75 employees; 15% for companies with 76 or more employees. IT Park also offers training and recruitment support with up to 50% reimbursement of expenses, capped at 200 base units.

### Local2Global

Local2Global initiative supports Uzbek IT companies in scaling their operations internationally. It provides access to international markets through trade delegations and partnerships; tailored mentorship from global industry leaders and financial support for participation in international exhibitions and marketing campaigns.

### IT Visa

The IT Visa program grants a multiple-entry visa for up to three years, with the possibility of extension upon the applicant's request without requiring them to leave the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Visa holders can access education and medical services under the same conditions as citizens of Uzbekistan, reside in any region without the obligation to re-register their place of residence, and acquire real estate of any value. The program is available to foreign investors, IT specialists, founders (participants) of member companies, foreign professors (Candidate of Sciences, PhD, DSc) in the field of information technologies, individuals acting as the sole executive body or chairperson of the collegial executive body of member companies, as well as their deputies, founders (participants), and specialists of startup projects. These conditions also extend to the family members of IT Visa holders.

### Softlanding

The Softlanding program facilitates the entry and growth of international companies within Uzbekistan's IT ecosystem by providing access to skilled talent in BPO and IT sectors, priority access to infrastructure, legal, financial, and banking support, simplified IT Visa, assistance with business registration through a one-stop shop, securing office locations, support with accommodation and relocation and guidance on forming strategic partnerships and growth opportunities.

## Infrastructure

IT Park Uzbekistan operates 14 branches nationwide. Infrastructure includes facilities for the needs of startups, established enterprises, and educational initiatives. The Tashkent headquarters is a flagship hub that covers six hectares and includes co-working spaces, conference centers, and innovation labs.
Additionally, IT Park has 4 representative offices abroad:
* Delaware, USA
* Heidelberg, Germany
* Seoul, South Korea
* Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
In 2024, Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, IT Park Uzbekistan and DataVolt entered into an agreement to build on the territory of IT Park Complex the high-capacity green data-centers worth $5B, sponsored by DataVolt.

## Educational initiatives
### IT Bilim

IT Park established the IT Bilim program to address the talent gap in the IT sector. It provides subsidized training programs in software development, AI, and data analytics, scholarships for young talent to pursue IT education and partnerships with international educational institutions.

### IT Park University

IT Park University (ITPU) was established by EPAM Systems in partnership with IT Park under the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan. The university focuses on training IT specialists through programs led by industry experts. Students gain hands-on experience by working on real projects and participating in internships, including opportunities abroad. The curriculum is updated annually to align with the industry trends and requirements.

## Startup ecosystem

The number of active startups in the IT Park database is over 260, with a total of $17.9 million in investments raised in 2024. IT Park collaborates with various organizations to advance the country's innovation ecosystem. IT Park joined forces with Astana Hub to form the Central Asian Innovation Hubs, an alliance aimed at growing the region's startup ecosystem and potential on the global level. Through its partnership with the global accelerator Plug and Play, IT Park connects startups directly with international investors, corporate partners, and global market opportunities.
More than 30 startups have been showcased under a unified brand at major international conferences, including WebSummit Lisbon, INMerge, and TechCrunch.
IT Park Uzbekistan also participates in major international technology, innovation, and startup ecosystem events, including:
* Web Summit (Lisbon, Portugal) – the world's largest technology conference, uniting over 70,000 participants.
* TechCrunch Disrupt (San Francisco, USA) – a leading startup conference showcasing the latest technologies.
* GITEX Global (Dubai, UAE) – one of the largest tech exhibitions in the Middle East.
* Go Tech (Bucharest, Romania) – the largest B2B expo-conference for IT and digital solutions in the Central and Eastern Europe region
* Call & Contact Centre Expo London (London, UK) – Europe's leading event for call and contact center professionals, showcasing the latest innovations in customer experience technology.
* Dubai Fintech Summit Dubai, UAE) – a global event focused on the latest innovations in financial technology.
* NEXUS-2024 (Orlando, USA) – international summit connecting private equity leaders and institutional investors, facilitating discussions on macroeconomic trends, fundraising strategies, and investment opportunities.

### Competitions and incubation

IT Park organizes annual competitions, such as President Tech Award with a $1M prize fund, to identify and nurture promising startups. Winners receive funding, mentorship, and access to incubation facilities.

### Acceleration programs

Startups participate in structured programs providing business development training, market validation, and exposure to investors. Collaborative branding with organizations like Astana Hub enhances their global visibility and appeal.

### TumarisTech Central Asia

TumarisTech Central Asia, launched in 2019, offers two acceleration programs, a business analytics school, and community. It is focused on supporting entrepreneurship and women in the technology sector.

### Plug and Play

In 2022, IT Park became a co-founding partner of Plug and Play in Uzbekistan, an office connecting Asia and Europe.

### Partnerships with Alchemist Accelerator, Draper University

IT Park has signed 34 agreements with global institutions, including StartX (Stanford), the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship (MIT), Alchemist Accelerator, and others, to develop international collaboration.
IT Park is implementing the Digital Startups Program under Presidential Decree No. PP-357, aimed at supporting the startup ecosystem and attracting foreign venture investments. Key initiatives include reimbursing costs for acceleration and incubation, launching a Regulatory Sandbox in 2025, and creating a StartupBase Platform to connect startups, investors, and partners.

## IT Park Ventures

IT Park Ventures is a $10 million capital fund focused on supporting early-stage tech startups in Uzbekistan with global potential. The fund provides seed funding and growth capital, access to a network of industry mentors and investors and collaborative opportunities with global partners. It also supports partnerships with international venture capital funds and angel investors, creating co-investment opportunities and expanding the global reach of Uzbek startups.

### Investments in Startups:

IT Park Ventures has invested in the following startups:
* Unitlab AI (unitlab.ai) — $200,000
* Geomotive (geomotive.io) — $200,000
* Datatruck (datatruck.io) — $250,000

## Members and economic impact

IT Park is one of the largest tech parks in Central Asia. It has 2,500 member companies. Sectors include IT service (1,506 companies), service providers (425 companies), game development (33 companies), creative (102 companies) and education (534 companies). Members include EPAM (USA), iTransition (UK), Vention (USA, Cyprus), TerraLink (Canada), Dyninno (USA), MightyCall (USA), and Wyn Enterprise (USA, Netherlands).
Exports geography covers 89 countries worldwide, with IT exports primarily going to North America (46%), followed by the CIS and APAC regions (27%), Europe and the UK (21%), and MENA (6%).
The main export is IT services (53%), GameDev and Creative Economy (11%), software products (8%) and BPO-services (28%).
By the end of 2024, IT Park employed 38,600 people, a 146% increase from the end of 2023, with regional employment surging by 240%, adding over 9,000 jobs.

## Enterprise Uzbekistan

The Presidential Decree No. 25 was issued on February 1, 2024, initiating the creation of the International Digital Technology Center. The center is designed to provide a specialized zone for the development of digital technology products and the provision of outsourcing services. Key features of the center include: Regulatory Sandbox to support innovation and testing of new technologies; protection of intellectual property and personal data; government and banking services; simplified regulations for labor relations; support for customs and tax matters and mechanisms for resolving of commercial and civil legal disputes. The center is set to launch on May 1, 2025, operating in an experimental mode for five years. During this period, a special legal framework will be implemented to enhance its operations and optimize the business environment for international and local IT companies.

## Uzbekistan digital inclusion

The Uzbekistan Digital Inclusion Project is a joint initiative by the World Bank, the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, and IT Park. The project focuses on expanding the country’s digital infrastructure, supporting the growth of the IT sector, and increasing access to education and skills development, particularly for socially vulnerable groups and residents of remote areas, in line with the approval of the "Digital Uzbekistan-2030" strategy and measures for its effective implementation. The initiative aimed at expanding access to digital technologies and services, building and upgrading IT infrastructure across the country, and developing IT outsourcing and exports. The project involves the creation of 25,000 new jobs in IT, with 50% for women and 4% for people with disabilities; training for over 6,000 young professionals aged 18–30, as well as establishment and modernization of IT centers, involving 200+ local and international companies.

## Strategy

Uzbekistan is determined to become a global IT hub. The country's goals include reaching $5 billion in IT service exports, expanding IT Park membership to 10,000 companies, creating over 300,000 jobs in the sector, and developing 1 million square meters of infrastructure.
IT Park has played a key role in shaping the industry by offering tax incentives, simplified business registration, and modern infrastructure. IT Park plans to focus on artificial intelligence, attracting international companies, supporting the startup ecosystem, developing regional centers of excellence, and fostering innovation to contribute to Uzbekistan’s IT sector growth and global integration.