IT Park Uzbekistan and JETRO agreed to expand cooperation in IT and outsourcing

During their visit to Japan, Abdulakhad Kuchkarov, the CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan, and Sakurai-san, the Advisor to the Minister of Digital Technologies, convened with the leadership of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). The meeting included Norihiko Ishiguro, Chairman and CEO of JETRO, and Takafumi Suzuki, Executive Vice President of JETRO. The JETRO representatives committed to establishing systematic cooperation focused on attracting Japanese IT companies to Uzbekistan, bolstering the startup ecosystem, and positioning Uzbekistan as a trustworthy destination for IT outsourcing. As a result, a memorandum of cooperation was signed.

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a government-supported entity in Japan that aims to enhance international trade and investment. Founded in 2003 and based in Tokyo, JETRO has 76 offices abroad across 56 countries and over 50 offices domestically in Japan, employing around 1,900 staff members. In Uzbekistan, JETRO runs a regional office in Tashkent, assisting companies from both nations in their market entry efforts.

During the discussions, the parties thoroughly examined collaboration opportunities related to the development of IT outsourcing and startup ecosystems. They specifically focused on providing support for Japanese firms looking to set up operations in Uzbekistan, which includes legal and regulatory assistance, tax incentives, and specialized initiatives like the Zero Risk, IT Visa, and One-stop-shop programs. A strong emphasis was placed on marketing Uzbekistan as a stable and competitive center for Japanese IT companies.

Moreover, the discussions extended to potential initiatives for startup collaboration, such as organizing exchange programs for Uzbek startups to connect with the Japanese innovation ecosystem, along with soft-landing mechanisms for Japanese startups entering Uzbekistan. The idea of hosting annual joint events was also proposed, aimed at creating a consistent platform for building partnerships in software engineering, artificial intelligence, fintech, and creative technologies.

Additionally, the conversations included support for educational initiatives, training, and mentorship programs for Uzbek IT companies to improve their export readiness for the Japanese market. These actions are intended to enhance the human capital and practical skills within the national IT sector.

The parties also assessed opportunities within JETRO’s J-Bridge program, which promotes international collaboration between startups and large corporations. It was observed that the involvement of Uzbek startups in J-Bridge could effectively facilitate their entry into the Japanese market and help in forming corporate alliances. The parties concurred to further investigate potential interaction formats within this program.

The discussions also encompassed the collective promotion of startups in global markets, including the United States, by utilizing JETRO’s worldwide office network. The parties emphasized the potential of this collaboration to enhance the scalability of Uzbek IT companies and extend their export capabilities beyond the region.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a memorandum of cooperation, which formally outlines the primary goals of the partnership and lays the groundwork for the implementation of joint initiatives.

The partnership with JETRO offers IT Park Uzbekistan substantial opportunities to attract Japanese firms, investments, and technologies while increasing IT service exports. This collaboration bolsters the international reputation of IT Park Uzbekistan, nurtures the growth of the startup ecosystem, and reinforces Uzbekistan’s position as a dependable technological partner in the Japanese and Asia-Pacific markets.