Uzbekistan and Pakistan are exploring ways to expand cooperation in digital technologies, artificial intelligence, IT services exports, startups and investment, according to a statement issued by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technologies following a meeting between Uzbekistan’s Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov and Pakistan’s Minister of State for IT and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja. The talks centered on identifying potential areas of collaboration between the two countries as they look to deepen ties within the digital economy.
Discussions focused heavily on Pakistan’s digital economy, particularly its large pool of IT specialists, freelancers and technology companies, with both sides considering ways to make greater use of this human capital and strengthen connections between technology businesses in the two countries. The two ministries also discussed potential cooperation in artificial intelligence and data centers, along with projects related to renewable energy and digital infrastructure.
A significant part of the conversation addressed opportunities for freelancers, with both sides discussing a shift away from a model centered primarily on service delivery toward one that encourages freelancers to develop their own digital products and build technology startups. Building on this, Uzbekistan and Pakistan also discussed closer cooperation between their respective startup ecosystems, including stronger connections between venture capital funds and technology entrepreneurs, along with the possibility of jointly developing digital products. Agriculture, healthcare and education were identified as sectors with strong potential for technology solutions that could eventually be marketed internationally.
The talks also touched on efforts to attract Pakistani IT companies to Uzbekistan, with Uzbekistan positioning itself as a potential gateway to Central Asian and Commonwealth of Independent States markets. As part of this effort, Uzbekistan presented its Zero Risk program, an initiative designed to attract IT companies to regions outside Tashkent by offering office space, equipment, workforce training, support for international certifications and tax incentives.
Discussions further explored expanding IT services exports between the two countries, including opportunities for Pakistani specialists to participate in projects within Uzbekistan, exchange expertise with local professionals, and for companies from both nations to jointly enter third-country markets. Following the meeting, the Pakistani delegation received a presentation on Uzbekistan’s IT Park and its role in supporting the country’s technology industry, and also visited UZINFOCOM, where it was briefed on major digital projects and the digitization of public services within Uzbekistan.
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