BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. Uzbekistan and South
Korea have agreed to deepen cooperation in digital technologies,
e-government development and innovation.
This was reflected in the statement by the Ministry of Digital
Technologies of Uzbekistan, following talks between Uzbek Minister
of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov and South Korean Minister
of the Interior and Safety Yun Ho-jung during a visit to
Tashkent.
The South Korean delegation visited IT Park Uzbekistan, where
officials were briefed on the country's ongoing digital
transformation efforts, including the expansion of e-government
services, development of digital infrastructure, growth of the
startup ecosystem, advances in artificial intelligence and the
increasing export of IT services.
During the visit, representatives of Uzbekistan's digital sector
presented reforms aimed at improving public services through the
Unified Interactive Public Services Portal, digital document
management systems and data center infrastructure. Officials also
highlighted the country's progress in the United Nations
E-Government Development Index.
The delegation received an overview of IT Park Uzbekistan's
ecosystem, including tax incentives for resident companies, the IT
Visa program, startup support measures and initiatives aimed at
attracting foreign technology firms and investment.
In talks with Shermatov, the two sides underscored the strategic
partnership between Uzbekistan and South Korea in the digital
sphere and expressed interest in expanding cooperation across a
range of technology sectors.
Minister Shermatov noted, "thanks to the consistent attention
and support of the President of Uzbekistan, the country’s IT sector
has been developing rapidly, with growing interest among young
people in technology-related professions."
The discussions focused on attracting leading South Korean
technology companies to establish operations in Uzbekistan and use
the country as a regional platform for accessing markets across
Central Asia and beyond. Uzbek officials emphasized the country's
growing pool of young technology specialists and expanding digital
workforce.
The parties also reviewed opportunities for cooperation in
higher education, research and development, cybersecurity,
artificial intelligence and innovation programs. Particular
attention was given to Cyber University in Nurafshon, which is
being developed as a research and innovation hub for advanced
digital technologies.
Officials exchanged views on artificial intelligence
development, large-scale data center projects currently under
construction in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and investment
incentives available for technology and digital infrastructure
projects.
The meeting additionally explored prospects for collaboration in
the gaming industry, an area attracting increasing attention from
both countries.
At the conclusion of the talks, the sides signed a Memorandum of
Cooperation establishing a Digital Government Cooperation Center
aimed at strengthening bilateral collaboration in digital
governance and public sector modernization.
The center was officially inaugurated following the signing
ceremony and is expected to serve as a platform for sharing South
Korea's experience in digital government, facilitating knowledge
exchange and supporting the implementation of new digital solutions
in Uzbekistan.
