Uzbek–Korean BPO Forum in Tashkent: new opportunities for outsourcing and partnership

On September 25, the Uzbek–Korean BPO Forum was held, serving as a pivotal conference focused on fostering collaboration in BPO and IT services between Uzbekistan and Korea. This forum was organized by IT Park Uzbekistan in collaboration with KOICA, Gyeongbuk Technopark, and KTPA, with backing from the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan and the Embassy of Korea.

The event assembled representatives from prominent companies in both nations, along with government officials and business associations. The agenda included expert presentations, the signing of memoranda of understanding, and B2B meetings, all of which facilitated new avenues for bilateral cooperation.

Zokhiriddin Mutalov, Head of the Department for the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan, opened the forum by emphasizing its significance in enhancing international collaboration and advancing the country’s digital agenda.

Rustam Karimjonov, Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, remarked in his speech that it was a distinct honor to host esteemed participants from the Republic of Korea during this period of rapid development. He pointed out that their active involvement since 2023 has led to this being the third forum conducted as part of ICT Week, and he noted that their ongoing participation is a clear indication of a robust and strengthening partnership between the two countries.

Won Do Yeon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Korea to Uzbekistan, highlighted the importance of the forum in bolstering bilateral cooperation and enhancing economic relations between the two nations.

Nodirbek Berdikobilov, Senior Manager of the Service Export to Asian Countries Department, presented a talk titled “Uzbekistan as Korea’s Outsourcing Partner: Talents and Opportunities,” where he detailed the country's competitive strengths, including a well-prepared workforce of young professionals, proficiency in foreign languages, advanced infrastructure, and extensive government support.

Kim Youngjin, director of the center at Gyeongbuk Technopark, introduced the Open Innovation project, under which three Korean companies collaborated with IT Park members on outsourcing initiatives: Ajin with Mimax, Verywords with IT Hub Samarkand, and Siha with Robosell. She shared preliminary outcomes of this partnership and emphasized that the companies are committed to continuing their collaborative efforts.

A key feature of the forum was the presentation by Kim Songhyeon, Coordinator at AJIN INDUSTRIAL CO, LTD., titled “A Case of Confidence: Why AJIN Outsources to Uzbekistan.” He shared a successful case study regarding outsourcing operations to Uzbekistan, emphasizing the high quality of services, cost-effectiveness, professionalism of local experts, and robust government support for the industry. He stated that Uzbekistan has proven to be a dependable partner, capable of fulfilling the demands of even the largest industrial companies.

Ravshan Umaraliev, AI Engineer at MIMAX Software Group, discussed “From Task to Trust: MIMAX SOFTWARE GROUP’s Journey with AJIN,” stressing the significance of trust in collaborative endeavors and providing examples of successful partnerships.

Kim SeongWoo, CEO of VERYWORDS, presented the project “Creative Outsourcing in Action: VERYWORDS’ Pilot in Uzbekistan,” illustrating how innovative products and creative solutions are being generated in Uzbekistan for the global market.

Doniyor Usmanov, Coordinator of IT HUB SAMARKAND, delivered a presentation titled “Creative Power from Samarkand: IT HUB SAMARKAND 1’s Cooperation with VERYWORDS,” showcasing Samarkand’s evolution into a new hub for technological initiatives and a platform for startup growth.

Park Sejin, Co-Founder of SIHACNC Co., LTD, gave a presentation named “From Care to Code: SIHA and Uzbekistan in HealthTech.” He outlined the company’s intentions to enhance collaboration with Uzbekistan in the realm of digital healthcare, which includes developing HealthTech solutions and transferring technological knowledge. He remarked that Uzbekistan holds significant potential for embracing digital healthcare services, and that partnerships with local institutions will encourage the development of innovative products at the intersection of medicine and technology.

The program also featured a presentation by Davlatjon Akhmadjonov, Project Manager at ROBOSELL LLC, titled “ROBOSELL: Bridging Healthcare and Technology with SIHA.” He described the collaborative initiative with SIHA aimed at incorporating advanced technological solutions into Uzbekistan’s healthcare sector. He outlined plans to create digital platforms, automate processes within medical facilities, and implement intelligent systems to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.

Strategic Cooperation

A key highlight of the forum was the formal signing of cooperation agreements aimed at enhancing Uzbek–Korean collaborations in BPO and digital technologies.

Three memoranda of understanding were established:

Additionally, the parties engaged in discussions regarding the formation of a joint venture involving VERYWORDS, marking a new phase in the technological collaboration between Korea and Uzbekistan.

B2B Meetings and Networking

The latter part of the day focused on B2B meetings and networking. During this segment, representatives from Uzbek and Korean companies had the chance to engage in direct discussions about specific cooperation formats, including workforce solutions, IT service exports, creative project execution, and the incorporation of digital technologies into business operations. This approach facilitated the establishment of practical agreements and expedited the market introduction of new initiatives.

The Uzbek–Korean BPO Forum holds strategic significance: it not only fortifies the relationship between Uzbekistan and Korea but also aids in the growth of IT and BPO exports, attracts investment, and generates new employment opportunities. For Uzbekistan, this forum signifies another important advancement in solidifying its status as a dependable ITes hub and boosting the nation’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.

Information partners for the events included: Aniq.uz, Daryo.uz, Frank.uz, Kursiv, Nova 24, The Tech, UzbekFintech, Weproject, Vzglyad.uz, and Oriat Dono radio station.