BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 17. Uzbekistan’s
Minister of Digital Technologies met with Director of Public
Policy, Strategy and Campaigns for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region
at Meta, to discuss the development of the country’s digital
economy, expansion of bilateral cooperation, and efforts to
strengthen digital skills among young people.
This was reflected in the statement by the Ministry of Digital
Technologies of Uzbekistan, following the meeting between
Uzbekistan’s Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov,
with Beth Ann Lim, Director of Public Policy, Strategy and
Campaigns for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region at Meta.
During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on ongoing
initiatives aimed at equipping youth with modern skills, creating
new opportunities for professional growth, and generating
high-value jobs in the digital sector.
The Uzbek side highlighted the rapid growth of the country’s
startup ecosystem and measures being implemented to support
technology entrepreneurship and innovation. Meta representatives
positively assessed these developments and discussed opportunities
to support local startups and help entrepreneurs access
international markets.
Particular attention was paid to the launch of the Small
Business Growth Academy, a program that combines Meta’s AI-powered
business tools with practical training delivered by certified local
partners. The initiative, described as the first of its kind in the
Asia-Pacific region, is designed to provide startups, young people,
and small and medium-sized businesses with practical skills in
digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
The parties emphasized the importance of such programs in
preparing young people for future professions, creating new
employment opportunities, and building “a highly qualified talent
pool for the country’s digital economy.”
The meeting also included discussions on incentives available to
residents of IT Park Uzbekistan, including tax preferences and
support mechanisms aimed at attracting international technology
companies and startups.
In addition, the sides explored opportunities to expand
cooperation in cybersecurity, including the exchange of expertise,
strengthening security across digital platforms, and implementing
joint initiatives in the field.
At the conclusion of the talks, the parties expressed their
readiness to deepen cooperation in “digital technologies,
innovation, entrepreneurship development, digital skills
enhancement, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.”
