On December 26, IT Park Uzbekistan inaugurated one of Central Asia's most prominent business events — Central Asian Business Expo 2024. Organized by the Ministry of Digital Technologies, IT Park Uzbekistan, and CabExpo, the event attracted participation from over 70 companies. Attendees engaged with leading entrepreneurs, key industry stakeholders, and experts specializing in providing services to foreign companies across diverse sectors, particularly in logistics.
Central Asian Business Expo 2024 represents a vibrant platform for facilitating interactions, fostering knowledge exchange, and broadening avenues for collaboration between the logistics sectors of two regions: North America and Central Asia. This event offers an exceptional opportunity for business representatives to establish partnerships, discuss emerging trends, and identify pathways for mutual development and growth.
In his opening address, the Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, emphasized:
“The Government of Uzbekistan places a high priority on the development of the IT sector, and companies can count on comprehensive support for their businesses. During an open dialogue with entrepreneurs, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, underscored the extension of tax incentives for businesses in Uzbekistan until 2040.
Furthermore, the forthcoming launch of the Enterprise Uzbekistan initiative will unlock even greater opportunities. We extend an invitation to ITES companies to join our community, and we stand ready to provide the requisite conditions for the seamless and successful operation of your businesses.”
The event also featured an exhibition and job fair dedicated to Uzbekistan's youth. At the expo, 30 leading companies showcased open positions and highlighted unparalleled opportunities for talented professionals. Students and specialists explored career prospects within logistics firms and familiarized themselves with the key requirements for employment.
Gulshanbek Ravshanbek, President of CABXPO, extended a cordial welcome to the participants, stating:
“Our mission is to unite the peoples of Central Asia and foster stronger, interconnected communities. With the support of Sherzod Shermatov, we have made significant strides toward this objective, bringing Central Asian countries and their citizens closer together.
Our ultimate goal is to support businesses in thriving and expanding within international markets, with a specific focus on the United States. In Chicago, we have already achieved substantial success by establishing a network of 20 companies that collaborate on truck acquisitions and resource sharing. By uniting our efforts, we can expedite business growth and achieve shared prosperity more efficiently.
This is merely the beginning. We encourage Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey to join us in the subsequent stages of this transformative journey.”
It is worth highlighting the tremendous opportunities available for Uzbekistan’s youth who are acquiring foreign language skills and mastering modern, in-demand competencies. The IT industry in Uzbekistan is experiencing rapid growth, creating a significant number of employment opportunities. This growth offers a unique chance for individuals to establish careers while remaining close to their families and contributing to the international market. IT is not merely a profession but a gateway to the future.
At present, more than 310 IT Park members are engaged in outsourcing services, primarily delivering products and services to markets in the United States and Europe. IT Park provides the critical resources, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and comprehensive support required to enable the rapid and efficient growth of its members’ businesses.
“One of the pivotal sectors in which we have attained remarkable success is logistics. Numerous successful projects in North America stand as testament to our capabilities, where Uzbek companies have made significant impact. Teams from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are working in night shifts to address global demands, delivering essential services to Europe and the United States,” remarked Sultonmurod Rasulov, Head of Export Development for the North American Region at IT Park.
The event also featured an expert panel session entitled “Advancing Talent: Workforce Outsourcing for Freight Transportation in Uzbekistan,” which focused on the critical skills required to embark on a career in the logistics sector. The session featured insights from Mokhinur Abdukhakimova, CEO of Lucid Logistics Academy, Zafar Yusupov, Office Manager at Loadmode, and moderator Nadir Said, Executive Director of Inctec.
On December 27, a closed meeting will be convened for representatives of logistics companies to engage in discussions on collaboration, share professional insights, and exchange expertise in the current business landscape.
What Does This Mean for Uzbekistan?
Central Asian Business Expo 2024 is far more than a business platform; it is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening Uzbekistan's economic potential and cultivating partnerships with prominent logistics outsourcing companies from North America. Representatives of American firms were afforded the opportunity to assess Uzbekistan's business capabilities, explore the local infrastructure, connect with young and ambitious talent, and express their intentions to establish offices within the country.
Moreover, for Uzbekistan’s youth, this event marked a pivotal milestone in understanding the prospects within the field of supply chain management. By acquiring knowledge of operational intricacies, they can establish their own companies. This, in turn, will create new employment opportunities, enhance the qualifications of local specialists, and attract international investments, thereby driving sustainable development and bolstering Uzbekistan’s competitiveness in the global market.
