Uzbekistan and Pakistan to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence

Uzbekistan and Pakistan have agreed to expand cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence. This was reported by the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan.

Uzbek Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov held a meeting with Pakistani Minister of State Bilal bin Saqib. At the meeting, the parties discussed issues of developing cooperation in the areas of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, IT services exports, startups and investments.

One of the main topics of the negotiations was Pakistan's potential in the digital economy. The parties paid special attention to the effective use of the country's large human capital, including IT specialists, freelancers and technology companies.

Representatives of the two countries considered the prospects for joint work in the field of artificial intelligence and data processing centers. Projects based on "green" energy, including initiatives related to the development of digital infrastructure, were also discussed.

Developing the potential of freelancers was also one of the important topics. The parties emphasized the need to move from a model in which specialists operate mainly as service providers to creating conditions for their own startups, digital products and companies.

In this regard, they discussed the issues of bringing together the startup ecosystems of Uzbekistan and Pakistan, cooperation between venture funds and technological entrepreneurs, as well as the creation of joint digital products. Among the promising areas were the creation of technological solutions for agriculture, medicine and education and the possibility of bringing them to the international markets of the two countries.

Special attention was also paid to the issue of attracting Pakistani IT companies to Uzbekistan. The parties considered the possibility of creating conditions for their operation in the country and promoting Uzbekistan as a platform for entering the markets of Central Asia and the CIS.

Representatives of the two countries also discussed the possibilities of the "Zero Risk" program aimed at attracting IT companies, including to the regions of Uzbekistan. Within the framework of the program, companies may be provided with office space, necessary equipment, staff training, reimbursement of expenses for obtaining certain international IT certificates, and tax incentives for a certain period.

Another area of negotiation was the expansion of mutual exports of IT services. The parties emphasized the importance of Pakistani specialists participating in projects in Uzbekistan, exchanging experience with local specialists, and creating conditions for joint entry of companies of the two countries into the markets of third countries.

After the negotiations, the Pakistani delegation got acquainted with the activities of IT Park Uzbekistan. Representatives of the organization provided information on the work being carried out to support foreign and local technology companies, develop the IT industry, increase the export of IT services, and form a startup ecosystem.

As part of the visit, the delegation also got acquainted with the activities of UZINFOCOM. The guests were presented with the company's experience in implementing large-scale digital projects, digitizing public services, and developing and implementing modern information systems and digital platforms.

In addition, representatives of Uzbekistan provided information on the work being carried out to introduce digital technologies into public administration and public service processes, integrate information systems, and develop digital infrastructure.