Uzbekistan-Japan Forum: New Horizons for Bilateral Cooperation in the IT Sector

On February 13, 2025, the Congress Hall of the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan hosted the Uzbekistan-Japan Forum on IT Sector Cooperation. The event convened distinguished leaders of the information technology industry, investors, and experts from Uzbekistan and Japan to deliberate on the prospects for partnership, the exchange of expertise, and potential investments in the dynamically evolving digital landscape. The forum attracted participation from representatives of prominent companies, including IB-SYSTEM, Marubeni Corporation, Symphodia Phil Co. Ltd., and Mynavi Corporation, among others.

The event commenced with a welcoming address by Mr. Akihiro Sakurai, Advisor to the Minister of Digital Technologies, who emphasized the significant potential for collaboration between Uzbekistan and Japan in the field of information technology. He noted that the forum represented a pivotal step toward realizing this potential.

Mr. Yuta Ichinose, Director General of JETRO Tashkent, expressed confidence that the forum would serve as an effective platform for fostering meaningful cooperation in the IT sector between the two countries:  

"We recognize considerable potential in the joint efforts of our countries to advance innovation and technologies."

Mr. Abdulakhad Kuchkarov, CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan underscored:

"Collaborative projects and the exchange of expertise will enable Uzbekistan and Japan to bolster their positions in the global IT market. Japan is our key partner, and we remain committed to providing all necessary conditions to ensure the successful operations of Japanese companies.

The trajectory of our cooperation attests to this potential: while in 2023, IT Park counted only one Japanese member company, by the end of 2024, the number had grown to ten, three of which are already exporting IT services. Additionally, in 2024, five member companies of IT Park commenced the export of their services to Japan. This growth clearly illustrates the increasing interest in joint initiatives and unlocks new avenues for collaboration."

Key Themes of the Forum:

• Digital Transformation in Uzbekistan: Exploring opportunities for Japanese companies within Uzbekistan's rapidly growing IT ecosystem.
• Technological Innovation and Cooperation: Leveraging Japan’s technological advancements in conjunction with Uzbekistan's developing market and talent pool.
• Investment Attraction Strategies: Discussing methods to attract Japanese investors and foster cross-border partnerships to support Uzbekistan's technological startups.

The event program included presentations from Japanese and Uzbek IT companies, alongside B2B meetings and networking sessions aimed at establishing direct connections between business representatives of both countries.

This forum underscored the shared commitment of Uzbekistan and Japan to enhancing cooperation in information technologies, thereby opening new horizons for collaborative projects and investments.

The Uzbekistan-Japan Forum on IT Sector Cooperation stands as a significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations, paving the way for joint advancements in digital technologies and innovations. As a tangible outcome of the event, three Japanese companies expressed a firm interest in establishing offices in Uzbekistan for expanding their businesses into new markets.