Uzbekistan’s IT Park has launched its office in Saudi Arabia to strengthen bilateral collaboration in the digital and innovation sectors. The move is expected to stimulate knowledge sharing, encourage joint projects, and expand international opportunities for Uzbek enterprises.
Sherzod Shermatov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Digital Technologies, highlighted the importance of this initiative. He stated, “The partnership reflects the rapid growth of innovation ecosystems between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia. These efforts not only create economic synergies but also generate jobs and enhance skill development for local professionals.”
The new office will serve as a strategic link between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and Central Asia. Key benefits include:
- Facilitating GCC startups’ entry into Central Asian markets via Uzbekistan.
- Supporting Uzbek startups’ expansion into GCC markets.
- Providing GCC companies cost-effective back-office operations in Uzbekistan.
Showcasing Uzbek Tech at Global Events
In 2024, IT Park Uzbekistan participated in the BIBAN-2024 exhibition, showcasing 12 promising startups. Events such as the Uzbekistan Tech Conference and pitch sessions held in Riyadh successfully garnered Saudi investors’ interest in Uzbek innovations.
Joint Projects and Investments
The growing partnership between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia includes significant projects like the development of Green Data Centers. DataVolt (Vision Invest Holding) has committed a $5 billion investment into this initiative, highlighting the increasing role of Uzbekistan as a tech and innovation hub in the region.
This office opening marks a new milestone for Uzbekistan, promoting innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, and strengthening ties between the two nations’ technology ecosystems.