During the IV World Conference on the Creative Economy, Farkhod Ibragimov, the CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan highlighted the export potential of Uzbekistan’s creative services and the support programs offered by IT Park. He also announced several upcoming initiatives aimed at fostering the development of the creative industry and enhancing the export of creative services through collaboration with the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation.
Starting next year, in partnership with the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, IT Park will launch two key projects:
- Creative Incubator is a unique program for startups in the creative industry. The 3-month program will be held twice a year, providing participants with guidance from top experts in creativity, entrepreneurship, and IT. These mentors will assist startups in transforming their ideas into real projects and scaling them to new heights.
- Digital Creative Lab is a platform for integrating traditional art into the digital. The laboratory will be established at IT Park’s Tashkent branch. Artists will have the opportunity to learn new skills in digital art, graphic design, animation, and multimedia, while gaining access to internships and employment opportunities with IT Park’s member companies.
During his address, Farkhod Ibragimov emphasized that Uzbekistan has shown consistent growth in the creative economy over recent years, marked by a significant increase in the number of IT Park members and the expansion of creative services exports. He also highlighted various educational programs, cutting-edge technologies, and opportunities for local companies to access international markets.
Importantly, the global creative services outsourcing market is currently valued at $60 billion and is expected to reach $100 billion by 2030. IT Park Uzbekistan aims to enhance the country’s presence in the global arena, contributing to the national economy while creating more high-paying jobs for local youth.
Last year, the total volume of ITes (Information Technology Enabled Services) exports from Uzbekistan reached $344 million, with the overall ITes market valued at $1 billion. Of this, $21 million was attributed to creative services, 94% of which were rendered to international clients.
Geographical distribution of creative services exports by IT Park residents:
- 48% – Europe and the United Kingdom
- 28% – North America
- 20% – CIS countries
- 3% – APAC
- 1% – MENA Region
As of today, IT Park hosts 112 member companies specializing in the creative industry, including East Games, Grace Projects, AmayaSoft, United Soft, Weaya, Exodus, and StoryTech. These companies develop products and services in Game Development, AR/VR, graphic design, and animation.
Supporting Creative Industry Companies
Since the beginning of this year, creative industry representatives have been able to join IT Park as members, gaining access to a wide range of benefits and support programs. Companies involved in web design, graphic design, game design, 3D graphics, visual design, interface design, and animation development using specialized software can take advantage of these membership benefits.
IT Park Uzbekistan provides a comprehensive range of services to support creative companies. The One Stop Shop program facilitates quick and efficient company registration, opening all the necessary opportunities for business launch. The Zero Risk program targets companies looking to expand in Uzbekistan’s regions, as well as foreign companies seeking to enter the local market, minimizing risks and costs.
Another important initiative is the Local2Global program, which supports local companies in accessing international markets by assisting them in the export of services and products. Through these initiatives, IT Park creates ideal conditions for the development of the creative industries, offering members the necessary resources and infrastructure.
Moreover, founders of creative tech projects can participate in startup competitions such as the President Tech Award and MgovAward. This year, IT Park and Astana Hub established the Central Asian Innovation Hubs Alliance, opening up even more opportunities for regional startups, including those in the creative sector, to showcase their projects at international events and participate in global accelerators.
To become a member of IT Park, a company must be registered as a legal entity in Uzbekistan and submit a business plan. This provides access to IT Park’s extensive opportunities and resources, enabling companies to grow and expand into new markets.
Apply for membership: https://my.it-park.uz
