Through the proactive efforts of the IT Park Uzbekistan representative office in the Republic of Korea, in collaboration with its key partner, the Korea Institute for International Industrialization Cooperation (KIIIC), led by Mr. Jong Ok Rae, cooperation with South Korea has advanced to a new level. In this regard, a meeting was convened at the headquarters of IT Park Uzbekistan in Tashkent with a delegation comprising representatives of more than 10 Korean companies, which are exploring Uzbekistan as a promising destination for business development and expansion.
The alliance plays a vital role in increasing Uzbekistan’s visibility within the South Korean market while actively facilitating the engagement of export-oriented IT companies.
Notably, Mr. Jong Ok Rae, serving as the coordinator on behalf of South Korea, has made a significant contribution to strengthening the partnership and fostering cooperation between the two countries.
During the discussions, participants discussed innovative mechanisms for attracting Korean enterprises to Uzbekistan, as well as strategies for supporting local IT companies in entering the South Korean market. The attendees highlighted the competitiveness and multilingual proficiency of Uzbek specialists, along with the country’s rapidly evolving infrastructure, favorable business environment, and potential to emerge as a regional IT hub.
Substantial Growth in Exports and Expansion of Korean Business Presence
Over the past year, cooperation between the two countries has achieved notable progress. While IT exports to South Korea amounted to only $600,000 in 2023, this figure increased more than fivefold in 2024, reaching $3.3 million.
Simultaneously, the presence of Korean member companies within IT Park Uzbekistan has expanded considerably. Over the course of 2024, 12 new South Korean companies established offices in Uzbekistan, raising the total number to 20. These enterprises operate in diverse fields, including software development, graphic design, IT education, and software testing.
A pivotal milestone in 2024 was the signing of an agreement to establish the Uzbekistan-Korea IT Business Alliance, which took place in June in South Korea. This collaboration swiftly yielded tangible results: by July, the alliance inaugurated its representative office in Tashkent, and in October, IT Park commenced operations in Seoul. Both nations now have official platforms for collaboration, partner engagement, and the development of joint projects in the field of information technology.
Among the strategic objectives of the alliance is the attraction of new enterprises and contractual engagements. In line with this objective, IT Park Uzbekistan is set to participate in the World IT Show in Korea in April 2025, where it will host a dedicated exhibition stand and arrange meetings for its member companies.
New Educational and Outsourcing Projects
Collaboration between the two countries also extends to the development of new joint projects. At present, efforts are underway to develop educational and outsourcing programs. In March 2025, the Unitec project will be launched, offering specialized training in data labeling, a skillset that is increasingly in demand within the global IT market.
By May, an outsourcing project for the Korean company Nfaby will be initiated, providing employment opportunities for 100 specialists. By the end of 2025, this initiative aims to train 500 professionals, who will be equipped to work for Korean clients in the IT outsourcing sector.
The ongoing development of cooperation with South Korea underscores Uzbekistan’s growing attractiveness as a strategic hub for the IT industry. This collaboration not only contributes to job creation and the expansion of export potential but also reinforces the country's position in the global technology market. In the coming years, the partnership with Korean enterprises is expected to deepen further, unlocking new opportunities for both nations.
