Uzbekistan Outsourcing Conference in Tokyo Highlights Uzbekistan’s Strategic Role as an IT Partner for Japan

On October 31, the COREDO Muromachi Terrace in Tokyo hosted the Uzbekistan Outsourcing Conference, organized by the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, IT Park Uzbekistan, and IT Bilim, with support of the Japan-Uzbekistan Silk Road Foundation (JUSRF) and JETRO. The conference gathered over 130 representatives from more than 110 Japanese IT and GameDev companies, as well as universities and major corporations, all of whom demonstrated interest in cooperation with Uzbekistan.    

This was the second Uzbekistan Outsourcing Conference being held in Japan, underscoring the growing interest in Uzbekistan’s potential among Japanese companies. Notably, conference attendees included delegations from Tokyo and other cities as well.

Akihiro Sakurai, Advisor to the Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, opened the event by emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in the IT sector, noting that partnerships with Japan open up promising opportunities for technological exchange and contributes to the economic development of both nations.

Nodirbek Berdikobilov, Senior Manager at IT Park Uzbekistan, presented Uzbekistan’s advantages as a key outsourcing hub, including access to a young talent pool of over 21 million people, tax incentives, and a remarkable literacy rate of 99.9%. Berdikobilov also informed the conference participants about IT Park’s support programs, such as Zero Risk, which offers export-oriented companies free office space and technical support for their first year, along with reimbursement for a range of personnel expenses. 

Arthur Le, Head of International Relations at IT Bilim, underscored the value of Uzbekistan’s young professionals, who possess advanced technical skills and multilingual capabilities, for Japanese firms looking for innovative solutions. He noted the close collaboration with the Japanese market in employing specialists from Uzbekistan. 

“The development of Uzbekistan’s talent pool is directly supported by targeted training programs designed for the Japanese market, providing professionals with skills that meet international standards in high-tech sectors. Presently, around 50 Uzbek specialists are employed within Japanese firms, with partnerships established with 10 companies to further support recruitment from Uzbekistan,” added Farrukh Rasulov, CEO of IT Bilim.  

Yuta Ichinose, Director of JETRO’s Tashkent office, and Kotaro Okada, Executive General Manager at CICC, emphasized the availability of a highly skilled workforce in Uzbekistan, including individuals fluent in Japanese and English, which facilitates business operations not only in Central Asia but across the CIS region. They noted the dynamic growth of Uzbekistan’s IT sector, which, despite its relatively recent development, is rapidly overtaking the global leaders. 

Jamila Khalibaeva, Global Marketing Director at IT Park, attributed Uzbekistan’s rapid digital sector growth to extensive government support and reforms. “Uzbekistan is establishing all necessary conditions to foster the development of the IT and outsourcing sectors, catalyzing their booming expansion,” she stated. 

The CEO of Symphodia Phil Co. Ltd, a Japanese member company at IT Park, shared a case study on establishing IT operations in Uzbekistan, praising the flexibility and adaptability of Uzbek professionals — qualities highly valued in Japanese corporations with rigorous standards and corporate culture. He emphasized that the high diligence and adaptability of Uzbek specialists make them especially appealing to Japanese businesses.

The conference agenda included a panel discussion titled “Successful Launch of Business in Uzbekistan and the Potential for Growth”, featuring prominent speakers such as Kotaro Okada, General Executive Director at CICC; Yasuyuki Noguchi, CEO of Digital Knowledge Co., Ltd.; Ken Takamatsu, CEO of Rebreath Co.; and Tomohito Hirasawa, Director of RINGO Entertainment Inc.

Yasuyuki Noguchi of Digital Knowledge Co., Ltd. emphasized the importance of educational initiatives and digital innovations in the region, pointing out Uzbekistan’s potential in fostering international projects.

Ken Takamatsu of Rebreath Co. and Tomohito Hirasawa of RINGO Entertainment Inc. commended the adaptability and dedication of local specialists, which facilitates the integration of Japanese companies into the Uzbek market. They remarked that the growing interest in creative and technology industries presents vast opportunities for collaboration, strengthening business ties, and fostering innovative partnerships between Japan and Uzbekistan. 

Following the conference, six Japanese companies have expressed intentions to establish offices in Uzbekistan within the next six months. These initiatives are expected to create 300 jobs within the first year, further establishing Uzbekistan as an attractive destination for international investment in the IT and outsourcing sectors.