How Uzbekistan Plans to Lead Central Asia’s Digital Future – An Interview With the Minister of Digital Technologies

Uzbekistan’s ambitions to position itself as Central Asia’s digital powerhouse took center stage during ICT Week Uzbekistan 2025 this September - the country’s largest-ever technology forum, drawing more than 20 official delegations, 300 companies, and 20,000 participants from over 50 countries. With artificial intelligence and future technologies at its core, the event showcased how Tashkent aims to turn international partnerships into lasting investment, innovation, and talent pipelines. At the forefront of these efforts stands Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies, who has overseen landmark initiatives extending IT Park incentives until 2040, launching the IT Visa for foreign specialists, and embedding AI education across Uzbekistan’s schools and universities. The Times of Central Asia spoke to Minister Shermatov to discuss how Uzbekistan plans to sustain investor confidence beyond ICT Week, prepare its workforce for an AI-driven economy, and balance rapid digitalization with data protection and national sovereignty. [caption id="attachment_37995" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] ICT Week 2025; image: The Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan[/caption] TCA: Uzbekistan showcased itself as a regional IT hub during ICT Week. What concrete steps will the Ministry take to ensure foreign investors and global tech firms remain engaged in Uzbekistan? Shermatov: In order to comprehensively stimulate and develop the activities of foreign investors and global technology companies in the Republic of Uzbekistan, a number of key preferences for IT Park residents have already been implemented. The Government of Uzbekistan has extended and reinforced the system of benefits and guarantees for foreign investors and IT Park residents, ensuring long-term stability and predictability of the investment climate. Among these measures, IT Park tax incentives have been officially extended until 2040, offering exemption from a range of taxes, a simplified foreign currency regime, and a 5% dividend tax for non-residents, provided that more than 50% of their revenue is generated from export activities. These reforms provide a reliable and attractive environment for both established global players and emerging startups. To further strengthen the country’s position as a regional digital hub, the Government has also introduced the IT Visa - a three-year visa designed for founders, investors, and foreign specialists of IT Park resident companies. The IT Visa facilitates simplified entry, residence, and employment procedures for international professionals and their family members, making Uzbekistan one of the most open and accessible markets for global technology talent. In parallel, a “One Stop Shop” service has been launched to streamline administrative procedures. It provides fast-track company registration, bank account opening, and work and residency permits, enabling investors and foreign specialists to begin operations in Uzbekistan with unprecedented efficiency. At the same time, the Ministry continues to expand cooperation between global technology partners and the national innovation ecosystem under the “ZERO Risk” and “Local to Global” mechanisms, as stated in the relevant decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. These instruments create a foundation for long-term growth, stimulate venture financing, and support the international scaling of Uzbek startups. Also, comprehensive programs are being implemented to train highly qualified IT specialists to...