IT towns may appear in remote regions of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT. May 14 (Interfax) - Measures to further develop digital technologies, expand IT training programs for young people and create IT towns in Uzbekistan's regions were on the agenda of a meeting attended by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the presidential press service said.

"In the era of rapid changes, all fields need personnel who are versed in information technologies. Skilled professionals are the main resource both for services and exports in this area. IT towns should become a system that will inspire young people and train them in modern professions," Mirziyoyev was quoted by his press service as saying.

IT towns should be located in places that are convenient for young people and invite highly skilled specialists as teachers, the press service cited the president as saying.

The heads of the relevant agencies said at the meeting that among the country's regions, the capital Tashkent accounts for the bulk of IT services and exports. Eighty percent of specialists live in Tashkent. The project for IT towns also aims to develop this sector in remote parts of the country.

Mirziyoyev was also briefed on the progress made in developing and applying solutions based on artificial intelligence. These technologies are being introduced into the My ID biometric identification system, which 28 banks and five state-run organizations of Uzbekistan have already joined. More than 8.2 million users have registered in it. A voice assistant in the Uzbek language is being developed. The plan is to start using this platform on various modern technical devices.

According to data from the Digital Technology Ministry, Uzbekistan currently has nearly 2,000 IT companies, in which 30,000 people have high-paying jobs. Over 70,000 young people work in the IT sector as self-employed individuals. The services sector in Uzbekistan grew 20% in January-April 2024 year-on-year, products worth $200 million were exported, and 5,000 new jobs were created.