On November 23-24, the delegation of IT Park Uzbekistan, led by the General Director Farhod Ibragimov, conducted a visit to the Netherlands with the primary objective of attracting foreign companies to Uzbekistan to increase the countryʼs IT export volumes.

 

During the visit, IT Park representatives met with leading technology companies, held negotiations, and organized a conference at which discussed prospects and shared the experiences of successful foreign IT companies in Uzbekistan.

 

 

 

Netherlands in the context of the IT sector

 

According to the World Bank, the GDP of the Netherlands exceeded €991 billion in 2022. The IT sector plays a significant role in the Dutch economy, constituting approximately 10% of the countryʼs total GDP.

 

The country boasts a workforce of over 470,000 IT specialists, and its favorable innovation ecosystem has positioned country as a technological hub for numerous successful startups and IT companies in Europe.

 

The country hosts the headquarters of global technology giants such as Uber, Netflix, VEON Group, Cisco Systems, Tesla, Booking.com, ZOOM, TomTom, as well as startups like Adyen and WeTransfer.

 

Cloud and Data: Meetings with Oracle Digital Cloud Technologies and North C Data Center

 

A meeting was held with Christian Obando, the Director of Oracle Digital Cloud Technologies for the Northeast region. Founded in 1977, Oracle is today one of the worldʼs largest providers of software and hardware. The company boasts over 138,000 employees and an annual turnover exceeding $40 billion.

 

 

During the meeting, discussions encompassed the provision of cloud credits for Uzbek startups, Oracle Academy programs, and Oracle University for the training and development of local professionals. Additionally, the delegation shared insights into the opportunities and conditions created in Uzbekistan to facilitate the comfortable establishment of high-tech companies in the republic.

 

 

Supported by VEON Group and IT Park resident VEON ADTech, the delegation visited North C Data Center, a leading company in data processing and storage centers in Europe. Founded in 2016, North C Data Center provides cutting-edge technologies in data storage and processing, employing over 500 individuals and boasting a turnover exceeding $100 million.

 

 

During the meeting with Mike Cool, a consultant at North C Data Center, the latest trends in data centers were discussed, along with indispensable components of sustainable energy sources ensuring the uninterrupted operation of international data storage and processing centers.

 

 

Discussion on the Development Prospects of VEON Group and ZOOM in Uzbekistan

 

Marine Babayan, Global Director of Corporate Affairs and Government Relations at VEON Group, met with the delegation to discuss the development prospects of companiesʼ exports within VEON Group in Uzbekistan.

 

 

Founded in 1992, VEON Group provides communication services and IT products globally, boasting a workforce of over 40,000 employees and an annual turnover exceeding $8 billion.

 

During the meeting, the discussions focused on the development prospects of VEON ADTech and Beelab in Uzbekistan, the increase in the number of local specialists, and services exported to foreign countries.

 

 

Negotiations with Alain Segond van Banchet, the Executive Commercial Director of ZOOM, centered around the opportunities for opening a regional representation of ZOOM in Uzbekistan and localizing the system for the Central Asian market.

 

ZOOM Video Communications, founded in 2011, has become a leading platform for video conferencing. Today, the company employs over 5,000 staff and has an annual turnover exceeding $2 billion.

 

 

 

Conference “Uzbekistan – New Outsourcing Hub in Central Asia”

 

To conclude the visit, delegation conducted a conference titled “Uzbekistan – New Outsourcing Hub in Central Asia”. Over 40 representatives from major companies, including VEON Group, Telstra Enterprise, ZOOM, ZTE, Huawei, Total Specific Solutions, Pamir BV, GCore, EPAM Systems, Symphony Solutions, Brimit, Juniper Networks, engaged in the export of IT services, participated in the conference.

 

Among the speakers were representatives of prominent companies:

 

• George Held, CEO of VEON ADTech (VEON Group boasting over 100,000 employees and an annual turnover exceeding $8 billion);
  
  
   
• Ahmed Aboulezz, CEO of Raya CX (Raya CX, founded in 2001, is a leading software developer in the region with over 3,000 employees and an annual turnover exceeding $100 million);

 

• Alexei Dzienis, Director of Client Management at EPAM Systems in the Netherlands (EPAM Systems, established in 1993, is a global leader in software development and consulting services. The company employs over 60,000 staff and has an annual turnover exceeding $3 billion);

 

• Gleb Grigorian, General Manager of Gcore in Uzbekistan (Gcore, a company specializing in providing technological solutions, employs over 200 staff and actively contributes to the development of the IT sector).

 

 

They shared their experiences of establishing representative offices and companies in Uzbekistan, collaboration with local enterprises, the support they received, and expressed their confidence in the regionʼs potential for the development of the technology business.

 

 

In addition, IT Park representatives provided insights into comprehensive support programs for foreign companies in Uzbekistan, aimed at increasing the volume of IT exports. These programs, including Zero Risk, Regional HQ, One Stop Shop, and others, encompass recruitment and training of local specialists, selection of office space and equipment, coupled with tax incentives and government support, making Uzbekistan an increasingly attractive destination for foreign outsourcing companies.

 

To conclude the event, the guests were invited to an Offshore Outsourcing Tour in Uzbekistan. This event, scheduled for the first quarter of 2024, will allow them to get acquainted with the business environment more closely and explore opportunities for establishing a representative office in our country.