Three new unprecedented programs for IT companies in Uzbekistan.  Who, how and why should use them

IT Park has launched three new programs for local and foreign BPO and IT outsourcing companies – Local 2 Global, Zero Risk and Global Excellence.

All of them provide unique opportunities that are not found in any other country in the world. Letʼs figure out who, how and why you should use them.

Local 2 Global

For whom: companies in Uzbekistan that want to increase their income and start exporting, but do not know how to do it.

The program includes:

•  reimbursement of costs for export consultations;
•  sponsoring clients' trips to Uzbekistan;
•  export mentoring;
•  compensation for travel expenses abroad;
•  free access to the best courses on Coursera.

What does it mean:

It will be easier to export if you have a specific action plan in your hands, and a clear vision in your head. It is even better if there is someone nearby who will prompt and direct.

Therefore, IT Park, which has a team of experienced professionals, has launched a program that will help develop a plan and navigate the international market.

As part of it, companies can significantly reduce the cost of export consultations and get mentors who will share their expertise.

Since exporting involves communication with foreigners, it would be very appropriate to go to their country or invite them to Uzbekistan.

Participation in the program simplifies both – IT Park will finance the trip of foreign clients to Uzbekistan and compensate for the costs of foreign business trips, whether it is visiting exhibitions, conferences or forums.

On the one hand, this will allow the company to better establish relations with foreign clients, on the other hand, it will save money when traveling abroad.

Additionally, the program allows you to get free access to the best courses on Coursera for certain employees of the company.

This means that it will be possible to gain more knowledge in the most relevant areas of the world and improve the qualifications of employees.

Why you should take advantage: export opens up new horizons, but requires certain knowledge.

Their absence can lead to the fact that the company will waste money and time, becoming disillusioned with international markets.

Local 2 Global solves this problem, because it provides not only knowledge, but also support from professionals who will help you set up processes correctly, start traveling more around the world, and earn more.

Zero Risk

For whom: foreign and local companies that want to increase revenues and reduce costs while minimizing all major risks.

The program includes:

• free office for up to 12 months;
• assistance with the technical equipment of the office;
• $500 for each employed citizen of Uzbekistan;
• reimbursement of up to 15% of the cost of salaries to employees-citizens of Uzbekistan;
• reimbursement of up to 50% of the costs of mentors attracted to the country.

What does it mean:

In recent years, the number of IT companies has grown significantly in the country, but this process can be accelerated if risk sharing is introduced.

Zero Risk is such a mechanism. This is an unprecedented program that aims to facilitate foreign companies to enter Uzbekistan.

The program significantly reduces the entry threshold by providing free premises, helping with machinery and equipment, and compensating staff costs.

At the same time, it stimulates the development of IT in the regions. The granted privileges make it more attractive to open an office in the regions, rather than in the capital.

In order to take part in the program, it is enough to be a resident of IT Park, export, have a physical address in any region of the country outside of Tashkent and hire at least 50 citizens of Uzbekistan.

Why you should take advantage: The most difficult stage is always the beginning – it requires large-scale cash injections that take time to return.

Zero Risk solves this problem by lowering the entry threshold. In fact, IT Park takes the main risk, which greatly facilitates the launch process and the entire first year of operation.

Global Excellence

For whom: foreign BPO companies that want to quickly and easily open an office in Uzbekistan.

The program includes:

• work with FDI consultants;
• visits to Uzbekistan for site selection;
• access to research and analysis.

What does it mean:

Uzbekistan is heading towards becoming a new outsourcing center. There are suitable conditions and a number of successful cases.

However, opening the BPO office requires serious preparation and a lot of preliminary work.

Not all companies are ready to do this themselves, so IT Park provides consultants who will answer all questions on legal, regulatory, tax, organizational and other aspects of starting a business in Uzbekistan.

Within the framework of the program, a team of professionals will also help find suitable locations for BPO offices and negotiate favorable rental terms.

Those companies that want to visit Uzbekistan first and can take advantage of the fully paid visit program.

These include round-trip airfare, hotel accommodation, ground transportation, meetings with government agencies, business partners and others.

Additionally, Global Excellence provides unique access to research projects with market intelligence.

This will allow you to get all the necessary information about the current state of the IT outsourcing market in Uzbekistan, the main trends and tendencies, forecasts and prospects.

Why you should take advantage: The Global Excellence program greatly facilitates the preparation for the launch of the BPO office in Uzbekistan.

In essence, it is a package solution that frees companies from having to do their own research, collect data, and find suitable premises.

What is the result

All three programs are unprecedented – many countries are trying to attract foreign IT companies and stimulate local developers, but no one provides such a solid package of benefits and privileges.

Local 2 Global will allow you to enter international markets correctly, Zero Risk – to minimize the initial costs of doing business in Uzbekistan, Global Excellence – quickly open the BPO office where the results will not be long in coming.

All this is part of a large initiative to turn Uzbekistan into IT hub and an international outsourcing center. As the current results show, this is quite realistic.

Information about the article’s author:

Timurmalik Elmuradov — analyst, R&D specialist, Msc of the Research University Higher School of Economics.

Author of "Skartaris Peak" - the leading Telegram channel about business, market and technology in Uzbekistan.

He was responsible for development at the “Univer Club Family” group of companies (Russia), online publication Daryo.uz. Co-founder and former CEO of Spot.uz.