Uzbekistan strengthens IT co-operation with Korea

From June 26 to July 5, representatives of the Ministry of Digital Technology and IT Park took part in an intensive training organized by KTPA (Korean TechnoParks Association) and KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) in Korea.

The training was not just an educational program, but an opportunity to get acquainted with the administration system of Korean technoparks and master the Korean style of planning and setting tasks.  Moreover, within the framework of the training, the delegation visited leading Korean technoparks and companies in the field of ICT.

The training program was developed by Professors Lee Jae-Hyun, Ko Su-Chan and Dr. Kim Tae-Jin – experienced experts in the field of digital technologies. The participants gained valuable knowledge and skills that will help them implement advanced solutions in the digital economy of Uzbekistan.

The KOICA project allowed the delegation to visit places such as Incheon Startup Park, Gyeongbuk Technopark, POSCO, Pohang Technopark, Chungnam Technopark, Pangyo Technovalley, D-Camp, NIPA, UNIDO ITPO Korea and Dain Leaders. The visits not only provided an opportunity to get acquainted with the activities of these organizations, but also contributed to the discussion of possible future cooperation.

National IT industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), represented by the Managing Director for Regional Development, Jang Sujin, expressed interest in joint projects aimed at attracting Korean IT companies to Uzbekistan and helping Uzbek companies find Korean partners. This opens up new prospects for the exchange of experience and the development of digital technologies in both countries.

D-Camp, which plays a key role in Koreaʼs startup ecosystem and has launched over 10 unicorn startups (startups whose value exceeds 1 billion U.S. dollars before the IPO) to the market, has shown interest in developing a startup ecosystem in Uzbekistan.  IT Park and D-Camp discussed the possibility of participation of Uzbek startups in Demo Days, which will provide an opportunity to seek funding in Korea.

Head of UNIDO ITPO Korea, Mengho Shin, expressed readiness to support joint projects to strengthen cooperation between the Korean and Uzbek IT markets. Both sides have already started working on a cooperation project, and this opens up new prospects for the development of the digital economy and innovation in Uzbekistan.

Meetings were also held with IT Park partners – Gyeongbuk Technopark and Dain Leaders. Gyeongbuk Technopark President Ha In-Song and the delegation expressed their appreciation for the long and strong cooperation between the organizations. During the meeting, subsequent projects and a number of events were discussed, including the organization of a workshop from Korean mentors for startups participating in the President Tech Award competition.

The Dain Leaders company, a partner of IT Park in Korea, has expressed interest in conducting educational programs and recruiting IT professionals in Uzbekistan. They specialize in software development, artificial intelligence (AI) and Metaverse, and provide technical support to universities and government organizations in Korea.

Visits to various technoparks allowed the delegation to study their activities and discuss the possibilities for cooperation. Incheon Startup Park presented its startup development system from incubation to entering global markets. The management of “Pohang Technopark“ and “Chungnam Technopark” technoparks advised the delegation on the establishment of research and development (R&D) centers. The Pangyo Technovalley Innovation Cluster, representing the Korean ICT industry, shared the experience in developing the ecosystem in Korea and advised the delegation on the development of IT Park based on its experience.

Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Korea in the field of digital technologies opens up new prospects and opportunities for the exchange of experience and the development of the IT sector. Visits to technoparks and meetings with partners contribute to a deeper understanding of international experience and contribute to the development of the digital economy in Uzbekistan.