BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 26. Uzbekistan and
Pakistan are looking to expand cooperation in digital technologies,
artificial intelligence, IT services exports, startups and
investment as the two countries explore opportunities to deepen
ties in the digital economy.
This was reflected in the statement by the Ministry of Digital
Tecnologies of Uzbekistan, following a meeting between Uzbekistan’s
Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov and Pakistan’s
Minister of State for IT and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima
Khawaja to discuss potential areas of cooperation.
The talks focused on Pakistan’s digital economy and its large
pool of IT specialists, freelancers and technology companies. The
sides discussed ways to make greater use of this human capital and
strengthen links between technology businesses in the two
countries.
The sides also considered cooperation in artificial intelligence
and data centers, as well as projects based on renewable energy,
including initiatives related to digital infrastructure.
A key focus was on expanding opportunities for freelancers. The
sides discussed moving beyond a model in which freelancers
primarily provide services toward encouraging them to develop their
own digital products and establish technology startups.
In this regard, Uzbekistan and Pakistan discussed closer
cooperation between their startup ecosystems, including connections
between venture capital funds and technology entrepreneurs and the
development of joint digital products.
Agriculture, healthcare and education were identified as
promising areas for developing technology solutions that could
potentially be marketed internationally.
The sides also discussed attracting Pakistani IT companies to
Uzbekistan and positioning the country as a gateway to Central
Asian and Commonwealth of Independent States markets.
Uzbekistan presented its “Zero Risk” program, which is designed
to help attract IT companies, particularly to regions outside
Tashkent. The initiative can provide companies with office space
for a certain period, equipment, workforce training, support for
obtaining certain international IT certifications and tax
incentives.
The meeting also addressed expanding IT services exports between
the two countries. The sides discussed opportunities for Pakistani
specialists to participate in projects in Uzbekistan, exchange
expertise with local professionals and jointly enter third-country
markets.
“Particular attention was paid to creating conditions for
Pakistani IT specialists to participate in projects in Uzbekistan,
exchange experience with local professionals and for companies from
both countries to enter third markets together,” the ministry
said.
Following the meeting, the Pakistani delegation received a
presentation on Uzbekistan’s IT Park and its role in supporting the
country’s technology industry, foreign and domestic IT companies,
IT exports and the startup ecosystem.
The delegation also visited UZINFOCOM, where it was briefed on
major digital projects, the digitization of public services,
information systems and digital platforms developed and implemented
in Uzbekistan.
