The CEO of IT-Park, Farhod Ibragimov, shared insights during the Creative Economy Conference held in Tashkent about the growing importance of Uzbekistan's IT sector in the global economy, particularly in the context of the development of IT services and creative industries.
He highlighted that there are currently around 2,000 IT companies operating in the country, with plans to increase this number to 7,000 by 2030. This rapid growth is largely driven by the export of IT services, which brings foreign currency into Uzbekistan's economy and creates new jobs.
Ibragimov emphasized that the majority of IT services provided in Uzbekistan are aimed at international clients. Approximately 90% of the services are delivered outside the country, including to North America and the European Union. He also pointed out that Uzbekistan's advantageous geographical location, connecting Europe and Asia, serves as a strategic advantage for outsourcing services, especially to countries like Japan and South Korea.
One of the key initiatives discussed was the tax incentives for companies registered in IT Park. These incentives include a zero corporate tax rate, no profit tax, and only a 7.5% personal income tax. Additionally, IT Park offers support for companies looking to start their business in the regions of Uzbekistan by providing free office space and covering expenses for furniture and technical equipment during the first year.
Ibragimov also spoke about programs aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs and startups. Among them are the Presidential Award in Technology and international competitions like the MGOV Award, organized in collaboration with the UAE. Furthermore, IT Park plans to implement two new projects in 2025 in partnership with the Arts and Culture Development Fund. The first project is an incubation lab at Westminster University, where students can gain practical experience in creating creative businesses. The second project is a digital art lab in Tashkent, which will provide tools for digitizing artistic works and help creative individuals connect with production companies.