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Why global tech investors are looking to Uzbekistan

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Uzbekistan, home to the father of algorithms, Al-Kwarazmi, is coming full circle in its cultural and historical legacy by positioning itself as the world’s next great IT and Outsourcing hub. Historically, global outsourcing has long been dominated by a handful of countries, namely India, Eastern Europe and the Philippines. With a young and educated population, legal and infrastructural support, direct engagement with the U.S. and other major markets (through IT Park outreach centers), Uzbekistan is partnering with Silicon Valley companies (such as Silk Road Innovation Hub, a Lincoln labs subsidiary called Truss Global TAS, EPAM, Dyninno, and MightyCall) combining Central Asian ingenuity Silicon Valley expertise.

The country ranks as one of the safest countries in Central Asia by the Global Peace Index and is listed among the top 40 globally in financial attractiveness by the Kearney Global Services Location Index. The country’s GDP more than doubled from $62.1 billion in 2017 to $115 billion in 2024, while foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows grew from $3.3 billion to $11.9 billion in the same period. Uzbekistan has introduced many legal acts to support IT and digital services, and its Digital Uzbekistan 2030 strategy lays out clear goals: $5 billion in IT exports, 300 thousand technology professionals, and 10 thousand tech-enabled businesses by the end of the decade.

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A cornerstone of this effort is IT Park Uzbekistan, the nation’s flagship IT Hub and business support platform. With 14 branches across the country and 6 international outreach offices, IT Park provides everything a foreign company needs to launch quickly — from incorporation and talent acquisition to legal compliance and operational setup — all within 6 to 8 weeks. Built for resilience, IT Park Uzbekistan has with backup generators and high-speed internet, and is already setting up a 500MW Net Zero data center.

Now the question is… why Uzbekistan, why now and why with IT Park?

IT Park office building in Uzbekistan
IT Park / IT Park

The country has more to offer than just facilities. Uzbekistan, Central Asia’s most populous state, boasts an impressive talent pool of over 21 million citizens of working age. The average age in the country is 29 years old, many of whom are multilingual and tech-literate.

Uzbekistan is building a tech-driven economy with 100% school internet coverage, over 125 thousand students trained annually across 210 universities, and strong growth in tech employment, with over 200 thousand specialists in the ICT sphere now working across the country.

And today, IT Park members export their products and services to 90 countries, with the total number of member companies exceeding 2 800 — including 752 foreign companies. Key export destinations included North America (46%), Europe and the UK (25%), CIS (13%), APAC (11%), and MENA (5%).

Uzbekistan is undergoing a remarkable digital transformation. Over the past four years, the country climbed 65 positions in mobile internet speed rankings — from 133rd in 2020 to 68th in early 2025 (Speedtest Global Index). In the same year, it entered the Top 100 of the Global Startup Ecosystem Index (StartupBlink) for the first time, reflecting strong momentum in the startup space. The country also advanced by 45 points in the ICT Regulatory Tracker by the ITU, reaching G3 level — the highest in Central Asia. The nation now ranks 1st globally on Coursera by learner engagement, with 6.25% of its workforce actively upskilling online. Uzbekistan’s startup ecosystem reached a valuation of $1.2 billion in 2025 — a 1200x leap from under $1 million in 2021 (Startup Genome), highlighting a rapidly accelerating innovation landscape and rising global investor interest.

Home to two unicorns — Uzum and TBC, Uzbekistan is proving its potential to scale bold ideas to global heights. The rise of regional hubs, increased investor interest, and a government committed to digital transformation are further accelerating the momentum.

English is widely spoken in Uzbekistan, with approximately 5 million speakers, while over 18 million people are fluent in Russian. Turkish is also well known by 1.3 million, Arabic by 100 thousand, and Japanese by 5 thousand. In addition, Uzbekistan’s growing pool of “FIGS” language speakers includes more than 100 thousand in French, 225 thousand in German, 9 thousand in Spanish, and around 1 thousand Italian speakers. The country continues to accelerate tech literacy through initiatives like One Million Uzbek Coders  and Coursera, enhancing its appeal as a nearshore destination for European businesses.

When it comes to costs, Uzbekistan remains significantly more affordable than other outsourcing destinations. Annual salaries for junior software developers range from $7,200 to $12,000, while senior developers earn between $36,000 and $60,000. BPO salaries are also highly competitive: customer service roles start at $5,000 per year, and email or back-office support roles range from $4,800 to $10,000 annually. Office space is attractively priced, starting at $15–$30 per square meter in Tashkent and even lower in other cities. Through the Zero Risk model, IT Park covers up to 15% of salary costs, provides free office space for one year, and reimburses companies up to $5,000 for employee training.

Tax benefits, visa-free regimes and connectivity

The tax system is equally investor-friendly. IT Park member companies pay 0% corporate tax, 0% property and land tax, 0% social tax, and enjoy 5% tax on dividends and 7.5% personal income tax. Salaries and dividends can be paid in foreign currencies, and there is no requirement for a work permit for foreign employees. With 90+ countries having visa-free access, and 76 cities offering direct flights to Tashkent, Uzbekistan is becoming increasingly accessible.

Recognizing the importance of visibility in the U.S. market, Uzbekistan is actively participating in international expos, hosting dedicated tech summits, and inviting American decision-makers to explore the opportunities firsthand. These events are not just about showcasing infrastructure and incentives — they are about building relationships and creating long-term value between Uzbekistan and global tech ecosystems.

In a world where outsourcing destinations are constantly evaluated for cost, stability, talent, and trust, Uzbekistan checks every box. But beyond that, it offers something rare: a country at the intersection of tradition and transformation, where hospitality meets innovation, and where businesses are not only welcomed — they are empowered. And they are bringing the algorithm home.

As part of its global outreach and ecosystem development efforts, IT Park Uzbekistan invites international stakeholders to join the upcoming Shared Services and Outsourcing Conference, taking place during ICTWEEK Uzbekistan 2025. This flagship event will bring together global experts, business leaders, and policymakers to explore Uzbekistan’s unique value proposition in IT-enabled services, BPO, and shared services. Participants will gain strategic insights into market entry, incentives, talent, and digital infrastructure — all while networking with peers and exploring new business opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing outsourcing destinations.

Register now:

https://outsource.gov.uz/en/events/shared-services-and-outsourcing-conference

Digital Trends partners with external contributors. All contributor content is reviewed by the Digital Trends editorial staff.
Chris Gallagher
Chris Gallagher
Chris Gallagher is a New York native with a business degree from Sacred Heart University, now thriving as a professional…
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