Uzbek–Korean BPO Forum in Tashkent: new opportunities for outsourcing and partnership

On September 25, the Uzbek–Korean BPO Forum took place — a key conference dedicated to cooperation in the fields of BPO and IT services between Uzbekistan and Korea. The forum was organized by IT Park Uzbekistan in partnership with KOICA, Gyeongbuk Technopark, and KTPA, with the support of the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan and the Embassy of Korea.

The event brought together representatives of leading companies from both countries, government bodies, and business associations. The program featured expert presentations, the signing of memoranda of understanding, and B2B meetings, all of which created new opportunities for bilateral collaboration.

Forum program

Zokhiriddin Mutalov, Head of the Department for the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan, delivered opening remarks, underscoring the importance of the event in strengthening international cooperation and promoting the nation’s digital agenda.

Rustam Karimjonov, Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, noted in his address that, during this period of rapid growth, it was a particular honor to welcome distinguished participants from the Republic of Korea. He emphasized that their active engagement since 2023 has made this the third such forum held as part of ICT Week, and highlighted that their sustained presence stands as a clear symbol of a strong and deepening partnership between the two nations.

Won Do Yeon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Korea to Uzbekistan, stressed the significance of the forum for reinforcing bilateral cooperation and expanding economic ties between the two countries.

Nodirbek Berdikobilov, Senior Manager of the Service Export to Asian Countries Department, delivered a presentation entitled “Uzbekistan as Korea’s Outsourcing Partner: Talents and Opportunities”, in which he outlined the country’s competitive advantages, including a pool of well-prepared young professionals, foreign language proficiency, advanced infrastructure, and comprehensive government support.

Kim Youngjin, director of the center at Gyeongbuk Technopark, presented the Open Innovation project, under which three Korean companies partnered with IT Park members in outsourcing projects: Ajin with Mimax, Verywords with IT Hub Samarkand, and Siha with Robosell. She shared interim results of this cooperation and emphasized that the companies intend to continue their joint efforts.

One of the highlights of the forum was the presentation by Kim Songhyeon, Coordinator at AJIN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., entitled “A Case of Confidence: Why AJIN Outsources to Uzbekistan?”. He presented a successful case study of outsourcing operations to Uzbekistan, highlighting the high quality of services, cost-efficiency, professionalism of local specialists, and strong government support for the sector. According to him, Uzbekistan has established itself as a reliable partner, capable of meeting the needs of even the largest industrial corporations.

Ravshan Umaraliev, AI Engineer at MIMAX Software Group, spoke on “From Task to Trust: MIMAX SOFTWARE GROUP’s Journey with AJIN”, emphasizing the importance of trust in collaborative projects and sharing examples of successful cooperation.

Kim SeongWoo, CEO of VERYWORDS, introduced the project “Creative Outsourcing in Action: VERYWORDS’ Pilot in Uzbekistan”, showcasing how innovative products and creative solutions are being developed in Uzbekistan for the international market.

Doniyor Usmanov, Coordinator of IT HUB SAMARKAND, presented “Creative Power from Samarkand: IT HUB SAMARKAND 1’s Cooperation with VERYWORDS”, highlighting Samarkand’s transformation into a new center for technological initiatives and a platform for startup development.

Park Sejin, Co-Founder of SIHACNC Co., LTD, delivered a presentation “From Care to Code: SIHA and Uzbekistan in HealthTech”. He outlined the company’s plans to expand cooperation with Uzbekistan in the field of digital healthcare, including the development of HealthTech solutions and the transfer of technological expertise. He noted that Uzbekistan has strong potential for the adoption of digital healthcare services, and that collaboration with local institutions will foster the emergence of innovative products at the intersection of medicine and technology.

The program also included a presentation by Davlatjon Akhmadjonov, Project Manager at ROBOSELL LLC, entitled “ROBOSELL: Bridging Healthcare and Technology with SIHA”. He described the joint initiative with SIHA aimed at integrating advanced technological solutions into Uzbekistan’s healthcare sector. He presented plans to develop digital platforms, automate processes in medical institutions, and implement intelligent systems to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.

Strategic cooperation

A central part of the forum was the official signing of cooperation agreements designed to strengthen Uzbek–Korean partnerships in BPO and digital technologies.

Three memoranda of understanding were concluded:

1. Between IT Park Uzbekistan and the Daegu Gyeongbuk ICT Industry Association (DGICT): The cooperation will focus on the development of startup ecosystems, educational programs, and business partnerships in IT. Particular emphasis will be placed on supporting youth and women in technology, as well as on joint research and innovation.
2. Between IT Park Uzbekistan and the Korea IT Business Women’s Association (KIBWA): The partnership will be aimed at enhancing the skills of women in ICT and entrepreneurship through training, mentorship, and incubation programs. The parties also agreed to promote knowledge exchange, foster the growth of the women’s startup community, and implement joint technological initiatives and research.
3. Between VERYWORDS and IT HUB SAMARKAND 1: Cooperation will focus on launching joint initiatives in content services and localization.

In addition, the parties discussed the establishment of a joint venture with the participation of VERYWORDS, which will represent a new stage in the technological partnership between Korea and Uzbekistan.

B2B meetings and networking

The second half of the day was dedicated to B2B meetings and networking. During this session, representatives of Uzbek and Korean companies had the opportunity to directly discuss concrete formats of cooperation, including workforce solutions, IT service exports, creative project implementation, and the integration of digital technologies into business processes. This format facilitated the conclusion of practical agreements and accelerated the market entry of new initiatives.

The Uzbek–Korean BPO Forum carries strategic importance: it not only strengthens ties between Uzbekistan and Korea but also contributes to the expansion of IT and BPO exports, the attraction of investment, and the creation of new jobs. For Uzbekistan, it represents another significant step toward consolidating its position as a reliable ITes hub and enhancing the country’s competitiveness in the global market.

Information partners of the events: Aniq.uz, Daryo.uz, Frank.uz, Kursiv, Nova 24, The Tech, UzbekFintech, Weproject, Vzglyad.uz, Oriat Dono radio station.