Uzbekistan’s Development of Information Technologies Minister Shermatov Sherzod, in an unique interview with New Europe through the first Tashkent International Investment Forum, offered totally different initiatives of his ministry to attract investors stressing some essential cooperation initiatives that might contain Europe and the US.
New Europe: How do you see the cooperation with Europe and the US in your subject after the launching of recent measures to attract investors of your nation?
Shermatov Sherzod: First, in case you examine Uzbekistan with different former Soviet Union international locations, we’ve got the best enhance when it comes to inhabitants for the reason that 90′ so this is a bonus, we’re a younger nation and we’re originally of a demographic dividend stage the place the share of working age inhabitants would be the highest in contrast to younger folks in addition to the aged. Having mentioned that, we’ve got to use this potential and one in every of our initiative was to introduce a particular tax regime for IT corporations, then there was the essential initiative to create and develop an IT park. About the tax regime, it’s offered to its residents which aren’t essentially situated in some place however they will have a base all around the nation, it’s fascinating to say that they are going to be exempted by all taxes and supplied with any further help to increase their enterprise.
Already the variety of our IT consultants, from many various international locations, elevated by 76 instances for the reason that starting the Presidential decree. Last yr it was 46 million USD and this yr we estimated to attain 100 million USD and our aim is to attain 1 billion USD by 2028. Then there’s not solely IT in our technique but additionally the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), this is a vital element that can be utilized by our EU companions, most of our BPO export goes to the US market. As an instance, within the US there are a lot of truck drivers that needs to be managed by truck operators so these operators are paid a sure amount of cash the place right here these operator are prepared to work for a decrease wage. If you remotely have 1000 those who makes the distinction each month when it comes to wage you’ve got to pay.
From this outsourcing system American and European corporations can have an enormous profit. Because of Covid 19 each firm all over the place applied distant working insurance policies so in case your workplace is situated in New York and you’ve got a sensible working system it’s not an enormous distinction in your firm whether or not you might be working from dwelling in New York or New Jersey however the distinction in the price of dwelling might be 500 USD or extra. Then there isn’t any distinction whether or not you might be in New Jersey or in Tashkent so long as make the job, this was an instance of low degree job.
For larger degree job I can let you know about one other instance, the accountant who makes the monetary studies, this licensed job could be accomplished in Tashkent. This is a data course of outsourcing then nearly any workplace job which could be accomplished remotely, it may be accomplished additionally in Uzbekistan so I’m certain that there are going to be many corporations who’re actually enthusiastic about lowering the prices. Another essential challenge is that, as a younger nation, we don’t need our folks to go to different international locations however we wish to outsource our providers remotely so that is an invite to Uzbekistan.
NE: Can you current a few of your measures to attracts investors?
Shermatov Sherzod: Uzbekistan is prepared to present essential instruments, they won’t want to make investments on buildings, furnishings, PC’s; we are going to put together a model new workplace then they may take pleasure in free hire for half a yr. The solely situation to this incentive might be to deliver right here distant jobs and make use of a minimum of 50 folks in our rural areas. About IT we’ve got many corporations who moved to Uzbekistan and a number of other hundreds of IT specialists moved from Belarus and a few from Russia as nicely.
Our IT park can present very good circumstances, that is good for us as a result of we’ve got numerous junior IT consultants who not too long ago graduated and it’s good for them as a result of so as to develop to medium and senior developer they want to work on actual initiatives. Companies like Epam, Exadel and others, they introduced their consultants and senior specialists and for each senior they may take at 3 or 4 juniors so this can drive up our native workforce as nicely, this could assist us to enhance our export income.
NE: How essential for you it is going to be to enhance connectivity and digitization?
Shermatov Sherzod: On connectivity we’re working in all fronts, we are attempting to change additionally the setting between operators, we wish to enhance the position of the personal corporations in addition to foreign corporations within the telecom market as nicely and this can assist us to meet circumstances to enhance connectivity. We have 4G connectivity all around the nation and we’re working to enhance its high quality, for that we’ve got a particular Presidential Decree which creates favorable circumstances to cell operators. We have piloted a number of 5G testing locations in Tashkent metropolis and we will work collectively on that but when we might be ready to enhance 4G pace I believe this might be extra that sufficient for many of our enterprise to try. About digitization this can be a device to reduce forms and our aim is to give he risk to our residents and companies to give you the chance to use all of the providers utilizing cellphones so we’re transferring to cell E-Government.
Here we’re working with the Ministry of Justice who helps us overview all of the legislative and forms base to be sure that we do have up to date laws, after that we’re going to produce all the required software program options. We are additionally implementing cell and face ID and all of the providers which may allow residents a a lot better entry to e-government.
On cyber or general safety my nation is open to cooperate with Europe and US, there are many frequent threats and we’ve got to work collectively as a result of this requires a world consideration. We have met not too long ago in Barcelona, through the Mobile World Congress, with many corporations and organizations and through this discussion board we had additionally a number of essential conferences.
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/interview-information-technologies-to-drive-uzbekistans-development-attract-foreign-investors/
