The CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan, Abdulakhad Kuchkarov, and the Advisor to the Minister of Digital Technologies, Sakurai-san, held a meeting with the leadership of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) during their visit to Japan. The meeting involved Norihiko Ishiguro, Chairman and CEO of JETRO, and Takafumi Suzuki, Executive Vice President of JETRO. The representatives of JETRO agreed to develop systematic cooperation aimed at attracting Japanese IT companies to Uzbekistan, supporting the startup ecosystem, and promoting Uzbekistan as a reliable destination for IT outsourcing. Consequently, a memorandum of cooperation was signed.
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a Japanese government-backed organization dedicated to promoting international trade and investment. Established in 2003 and headquartered in Tokyo, JETRO maintains 76 overseas offices in 56 countries and over 50 offices within Japan, supported by a workforce of approximately 1,900 employees. In Uzbekistan, JETRO operates a regional office in Tashkent, providing support for companies from both nations seeking market entry.
During the negotiations, the parties discussed in detail cooperation regarding the development of IT outsourcing and startup ecosystems. Specifically, they addressed support for Japanese companies establishing operations in Uzbekistan, including legal and regulatory guidance, tax incentives, and specialized initiatives such as the Zero Risk, IT Visa, and One-stop-shop programs. Significant emphasis was placed on promoting Uzbekistan as a stable and competitive hub for Japanese IT corporations.
Furthermore, the parties explored initiatives for startup collaboration, including the organization of exchange programs for Uzbek startups to engage with the Japanese innovation ecosystem, as well as soft-landing mechanisms for Japanese startups entering Uzbekistan. The proposal for annual joint events was also discussed, intended to serve as a permanent forum for fostering partnerships in software engineering, artificial intelligence, fintech, and creative technologies.
Additionally, discussions encompassed the support of educational initiatives, training, and mentorship sessions for Uzbek IT companies to enhance their export readiness for the Japanese market. These measures are designed to strengthen the human capital and practical competencies of the national IT sector.
The parties also evaluated opportunities within JETRO’s J-Bridge program, which facilitates international collaboration between startups and large-scale corporations. It was noted that the participation of Uzbek startups in J-Bridge could serve as an effective tool for entering the Japanese market and establishing corporate partnerships. The parties agreed to continue exploring potential formats for interaction within this program.
The dialogue also addressed the joint promotion of startups in international markets, including the United States, by leveraging JETRO’s global office network. The parties highlighted the potential of this collaboration to scale Uzbek IT enterprises and broaden their export reach beyond the region.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a memorandum of cooperation, which formally defines the primary objectives of the partnership and establishes the foundation for the execution of joint initiatives.
The partnership with JETRO provides IT Park Uzbekistan with significant opportunities to attract Japanese companies, investments, and technologies while expanding IT service exports. This collaboration reinforces the international standing of IT Park Uzbekistan, fosters the development of the startup ecosystem, and strengthens Uzbekistan’s role as a reliable technological partner within the Japanese and Asia-Pacific markets.
