Central Asia on the Global Tech Stage: Outcomes of GITEX Europe 2025

A delegation from IT Park Uzbekistan, led by Farkhod Ibragimov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, took part in the GITEX Europe 2025 international technology forum. Within the framework of the event, Mr. Ibragimov participated in the high-level panel discussion titled “Caucasus Meets Central Asia: The Rise of Eurasia’s Next Tech Powerhouse” and held a series of bilateral meetings with leading German companies.

GITEX Europe 2025 stands as the premier European technology forum, bringing together over 40,000 industry experts from more than 100 countries. As part of a joint initiative by Astana Hub and IT Park Uzbekistan under the banner of the Central Asian Innovation Hubs alliance, a showcase of 17 startups from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan was presented.

Uzbekistan demonstrated a broad portfolio of technological solutions across the public, educational, and corporate sectors. Among the participants were:

• FIDO-BIZNES and Corporate Solutions Group — developers of enterprise and e-government software;
• Unitlab AI — an AI-driven startup backed by Google, NVIDIA, and 500 Global, offering custom AI models and infrastructure;
• UZINFOCOM — the national digital services integrator;
• Evertech — an outstaffing team for AI and SaaS startups;
• EdSmart — an EdTech platform equipped with a network of hybrid video studios;
• K-Tech — provider of IoT-based smart building and energy management solutions;  
• Eskiz — a secure digital communications service;
• Realsoft AI — a company developing AI solutions with a focus on privacy and federated learning.

During the event, eight Kazakhstani startups were showcased, each representing key technological areas:

• Beksar — a retail solution offering analytics tools and sales automation;
• Arlan Biotech — a generative AI platform designed to accelerate antibody development;
• SmartGas — a fleet monitoring system aimed at reducing fuel losses by up to 30%;
• Alaqan Technologies — palm vein biometric solutions for security systems and contactless payments;
• SHAI — a platform enabling the creation of customized AI agents and assistants;
• QalaAI — UrbanTech solutions leveraging AI and geospatial analytics;
• Hired Valley — a platform for employee development;
• AskAlem — AI-powered assistants tailored for business applications.

“The participation of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan at GITEX EUROPE 2025 under the unified brand Central Asian Innovation Hubs represents a strategic step underscoring the rising prominence of Central Asia as an innovation center on the global technology landscape. This is not our first joint endeavor: we have previously collaborated at the Eurasian Technology Week in Istanbul and Dubai AI Week, and are set to participate in London Tech Week and other major international forums ahead.

These collaborations serve to enhance regional visibility, foster robust partnerships, and facilitate global market access for startups. We are presenting not just individual projects, but a unified ecosystem capable of competing on the global stage,” emphasized Magzhan Madiyev, CEO of Astana Hub. 

During the panel discussion “Caucasus Meets Central Asia: The Rise of Eurasia’s Next Tech Powerhouse,” Mr. Ibragimov was joined by Avtandil Kasradze, Chairman of the Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency; Magzhan Madiyev, CEO of Astana Hub; and Salar Imomadiev, Executive Director of the Agency for Innovation and Digital Development. The session was moderated by Suzanna Shamakyan, Executive Director of the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology.

In his remarks, Farkhod Ibragimov highlighted Uzbekistan’s progress in digital transformation, export potential, and the development of a national innovation ecosystem:

“In partnership with our colleagues from Kazakhstan, we established the Central Asian Innovation Hubs alliance with the strategic objective of forming a unified regional innovation space across Central Asia and positioning the region as a promising ecosystem for venture capital and startup development.

We are already observing measurable outcomes: international investor interest in the region has markedly increased, local startups are gaining access to new markets through global acceleration programs, and Uzbekistan has ascended 12 positions in the StartupBlink global ranking, entering the top 100 startup ecosystems worldwide.

These developments serve as clear confirmation that our commitment to regional collaboration and international integration is yielding strategic results.”

Mr. Ibragimov further emphasized the significance of decentralizing innovation through the establishment of 14 regional branches of IT Park. This structural decision has enabled the creation of new growth points across the country. As a result, in the first quarter of 2025 alone, IT company growth rates in the regions reached remarkable levels: 241% in Andijan, 229% in Tashkent region, and 159% in Samarkand. Today, more than 1,000 IT Park member companies are based in regional areas, with 70 operating from infrastructure developed by IT Park itself.

The panel discussion also addressed issues related to IT talent development and the expansion of the startup ecosystem. Uzbekistan has shown consistent growth in both domains. Since 2019, the number of individuals employed in the IT sector has increased from 62,000 to over 200,000. Startup investment volume reached USD 69.5 million in 2024, representing an elevenfold increase over the previous year. Thanks to initiatives such as One Million Uzbek Coders, the establishment of regional IT centers, and the launch of dedicated educational institutions such as IT Park University and School 21, Uzbekistan is emerging as a key center for training highly qualified digital professionals.

A vital component of the visit was a series of meetings with prominent German companies, including Schwarz Group, Giesecke+Devrient (G+D), Berlitz Corporation, the German Eastern Business Association (Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft – DUWK), and IFA Next.

In discussions with Schwarz Group — one of Europe’s largest retail conglomerates, which includes Lidl, Kaufland, and its specialized IT arm Schwarz Digits — the parties explored the potential for localizing IT operations in Uzbekistan. Amid a shortage of technical talent in other European hubs, Uzbekistan was considered a promising platform for expanding IT activities and serving as a strategic gateway to the markets of Asia and Central Asia.

During the meeting with Giesecke+Devrient (G+D), a global provider of digital security solutions, discussions focused on the prospects of establishing a representative office in Uzbekistan and acquiring membership within IT Park. Representatives of G+D expressed strong interest in outsourcing IT services and further developing projects within the country.

During the dialogue with Berlitz Corporation — a global leader in language and cultural training, founded in 1878 and operating in over 70 countries — a pilot initiative was presented to train Uzbek specialists in the German language to meet the growing demand of BPO companies. The program is expected to launch with 100–200 participants and scale up to 10,000 trained professionals by 2030.

Engagements with representatives of Ost-Ausschuss and DUWK, as well as the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Germany, included discussions on organizing a flagship IT Park event in Berlin.

In a dedicated meeting with IFA Next, parties explored IT Park’s potential participation in the upcoming IFA technology exhibition in Berlin — one of Europe's largest platforms for startups and innovations. IFA representatives presented a concept of a possible format for Uzbekistan's participation, including a business panel, a stand and B2B sessions.

IT Park Uzbekistan remains committed to expanding international cooperation and reinforcing Uzbekistan’s position on global technology platforms. Participation in GITEX Europe 2025 marks another significant step towards solidifying country's standing as a key player within the international innovation ecosystem.