BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 18. Uzbekistan’s
Minister of Digital Technologies met with the World Bank’s Vice
President for Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence, to
discuss cooperation on digital transformation, artificial
intelligence, and the development of the country’s digital
economy.


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 the Sangbu Kim, the World Bank’s Vice President for Digital
Technologies and Artificial Intelligence.


Ahead of the talks, the World Bank delegation was briefed on
Uzbekistan’s recent progress in digitalization, including the
activities of IT Park, growth of the information and communications
technology (ICT) sector, efforts to increase IT service exports,
support for startups, and initiatives aimed at attracting
international technology companies to the country.


The delegation was also introduced to the work of Uzinfocom,
Uzbekistan’s state IT integrator, including projects focused on the
digitalization of public services, the expansion of e-government
platforms, and the adoption of digital technologies and artificial
intelligence in public administration.


During the meeting, the parties discussed ways to promote
inclusive growth in Uzbekistan’s digital economy, expand digital
infrastructure, create new jobs, and accelerate digital
transformation across various sectors.







The discussions also focused on initiatives to increase access
to high-quality, well-paid digital jobs for young people,
particularly in the regions, through training in digital skills and
foreign languages and broader investments in human capital
development.


"Particular attention was given to the country’s achievements in
digital government. The parties noted Uzbekistan’s progress in the
GovTech Maturity Index, where the country climbed 73 positions to
rank 9th globally, and discussed prospects for continued
cooperation to further advance reforms in the digital and telecom
sectors to further and strengthen Uzbekistan’s standing in
international rankings, and support impact across the sector and
the economy at large." the statement said.


The parties also reviewed ongoing efforts to expand the
country’s data center infrastructure to meet growing demand for
digital services and discussed prospects for deeper cooperation in
artificial intelligence, digital government, digital
infrastructure, and digital job creation.