The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $50 million concessional loan to implement the Uzbekistan Digital Inclusion Project.

According to the 2030 National Development Strategy, by the end of this decade, the country plans to transform into a Central Asian IT hub, increase the annual volume of IT exports to $5 billion, attract 1,000 foreign IT companies to launch operation in Uzbekistan and provide employment opportunities for 300,000 youths in the IT sector.

“The new World Bank-supported project will help Uzbekistan use the IT-enabled services as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and foreign investments.  It will be implemented by the IT Park under the Ministry of Digital Technologies with the objective of training thousands of people under the age of 30 residing in rural and remote locations. Moreover, the project will provide incentives to ITES companies to employ these trained individuals”, noted Marco Mantovanelli, World Bank Country Manager for Uzbekistan.

In 2029, at the conclusion of the project, it is estimated that around 25,000 people will be employed in Uzbekistan’s ITES sector and about 15,000 people employed in related industries. To contribute to this goal, the project will support various activities, including:

The launch of up to 11 Regional ITES Centers, offering modern office spaces for ITES companies to open their branches in the country’s regions.

The training of around 6,200 youths, including 3,100 women and 250 persons with disabilities, in key skill areas such as communication, computer proficiency, and language skills (English and other foreign languages based on demand from ITES companies).

The employment of around 9,000 youths, including 4,500 women and 360 persons with disabilities, by qualified ITES companies benefiting from financial incentives to hire young people that will be provided under the project.

Preparing legal and regulatory documents is necessary to create a favorable environment for the operations of foreign and local ITES companies in Uzbekistan.

The attraction of around 240 new ITES companies will become IT Park residents and launch their operations in the country.

Sh.Mamaturopova, UzA