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, with the participation of representatives from IT Park Uzbekistan headed by First Deputy CEO Jakhongir Rajabov, took part in the Mobile World Congress (MWC) held in Spain.

Mobile World Congress is one of the largest global technology events, bringing together leaders in telecommunications, digital innovation, startups, investment, and public sector digital transformation. The platform serves as a global space for building international technological partnerships.

During the forum, the Uzbek delegation presented the country’s IT ecosystem and its investment potential, showcasing startups, resident companies, and GovTech solutions. Uzbek technology companies demonstrated their products to the international community and held a series of business meetings with representatives of global tech companies, investment funds, and European innovation ecosystems. The discussions primarily focused on developing of joint projects, attracting investment, launching soft-landing programs, and expanding opportunities for Uzbek startups to enter international markets.

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

During the visit, negotiations were held with representatives of Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s largest cloud technology provider. The parties discussed the development of AWS infrastructure in Uzbekistan, including the potential use of the AWS Outposts model and the possibility of establishing a legal entity of the company in the country.

The development of cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence was one of the key topics of discussion. The parties focused on supporting national initiatives for developing large language models (LLMs), improving the regulatory environment, and implementing AI solutions. They also discussed integrating Uzbek startups into the AWS Activate program and the company’s global ecosystem, as well as prospects for establishing a data center in Karakalpakstan.

A meeting was also held with representatives of ICEX, Spain’s state organization responsible for supporting international trade. The discussion focused on Uzbekistan’s potential as a soft-landing hub for Spanish technology companies. The parties explored bilateral support programs, including government incentives, acceleration tools, and mechanisms to promote Uzbek startups in the Spanish market and other European markets.

In addition, the delegation held a dialogue with representatives of the Bizkaia innovation ecosystem—one of Spain’s leading technology regions where Industry 4.0 and digital technologies are developing. The sides discussed the participation of Uzbek startups in the BAT B Accelerator program, as well as organizing joint sessions to prepare IT companies for entering the European market.

Special attention was also given to cooperation with Red.es, an agency under Spain’s Ministry for Digital Transformation. Discussions covered opportunities to promote Uzbek GovTech solutions in the Spanish and broader European markets, issues of certification and localization of digital products, as well as launching pilot projects and soft-landing programs. The potential participation of Red.es representatives in the GSMA Samarkand technology event, which will take place in Samarkand in May, was also discussed.

The delegation also held a series of meetings with international companies and organizations, including iScale Group, Infineon Technologies, Provence Promotion, ACCIO, Barcelona Activa, and AMETIC. The discussions focused on preparing Uzbek startups to attract international investment, participating in acceleration and open innovation programs, developing cooperation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and data centers, as well as supporting the entry of Uzbek IT companies into European markets.

Uzbekistan’s participation in the Mobile World Congress and the meetings held during the forum confirmed the growing interest of international partners in the country’s IT ecosystem. Negotiations with technology companies, investment organizations, and representatives of European innovation ecosystems helped strengthen international partnerships, showcase the potential of Uzbek IT companies, and outline new directions for cooperation in digital technologies, the startup ecosystem, and the development of innovation infrastructure.