Uzbekistan showcases its IT ecosystem at MWC in Spain and expands international cooperation

A delegation from Uzbekistan, led by the Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, and including representatives from IT Park Uzbekistan under the leadership of First Deputy CEO Jakhongir Rajabov, participated in the Mobile World Congress (MWC) held in Spain.

The Mobile World Congress is among the largest global technology events, gathering leaders in telecommunications, digital innovation, startups, investment, and public sector digital transformation. This platform acts as a global venue for fostering international technological partnerships.

At the forum, the Uzbek delegation showcased the nation’s IT ecosystem and its investment potential, highlighting startups, resident companies, and GovTech solutions. Uzbek technology firms presented their products to the global audience and engaged in a series of business meetings with representatives from international tech companies, investment funds, and European innovation ecosystems. The discussions mainly revolved around developing joint projects, attracting investments, initiating soft-landing programs, and enhancing opportunities for Uzbek startups to penetrate international markets.

Six companies were featured at the Uzbekistan pavilion: Uzinfocom, Geomotive, Moneff, A-One Project, Vades Group, and Mirasoft. They displayed solutions in information and communication technologies, digital B2B platforms, fintech, business process automation, cloud-based ERP systems, and SIM card manufacturing tailored for regional markets.

During the visit, discussions took place with representatives from Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s largest cloud technology provider. The parties deliberated on the development of AWS infrastructure in Uzbekistan, including the potential implementation of the AWS Outposts model and the feasibility of establishing a legal entity for the company in the country.

The advancement of cooperation in artificial intelligence was a significant topic of discussion. The parties concentrated on supporting national initiatives for developing large language models (LLMs), enhancing the regulatory framework, and deploying AI solutions. They also explored the integration of Uzbek startups into the AWS Activate program and the company’s global ecosystem, along with the prospects of establishing a data center in Karakalpakstan.

Additionally, a meeting was conducted with representatives of ICEX, Spain’s state organization dedicated to promoting international trade.

The conversation centered on Uzbekistan's prospects as a soft-landing destination for Spanish technology firms. The involved parties examined bilateral support initiatives, which included government incentives, acceleration tools, and strategies to promote Uzbek startups within the Spanish and other European markets.

Furthermore, the delegation engaged in discussions with representatives from the Bizkaia innovation ecosystem—one of Spain's foremost technology regions where Industry 4.0 and digital technologies are advancing. The participants deliberated on the involvement of Uzbek startups in the BAT B Accelerator program and the organization of joint sessions aimed at preparing IT companies for entry into the European market.

Particular emphasis was placed on collaboration with Red.es, an agency affiliated with Spain's Ministry for Digital Transformation. The talks addressed opportunities for promoting Uzbek GovTech solutions in the Spanish and wider European markets, as well as matters concerning the certification and localization of digital products, the initiation of pilot projects, and soft-landing programs. The potential involvement of Red.es representatives in the GSMA Samarkand technology event, scheduled for May in Samarkand, was also a topic of discussion.

Additionally, the delegation conducted a series of meetings with international companies and organizations, including iScale Group, Infineon Technologies, Provence Promotion, ACCIO, Barcelona Activa, and AMETIC. The discussions concentrated on preparing Uzbek startups to secure international investment, engaging in acceleration and open innovation programs, fostering collaboration in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and data centers, as well as facilitating the entry of Uzbek IT companies into European markets.

Uzbekistan's participation in the Mobile World Congress and the meetings that took place during the forum underscored the increasing interest of international partners in the country's IT ecosystem. Negotiations with technology firms, investment organizations, and representatives from European innovation ecosystems contributed to strengthening international partnerships, highlighting the potential of Uzbek IT companies, and identifying new avenues for collaboration in digital technologies, the startup ecosystem, and the advancement of innovation infrastructure.