IT Park Uzbekistan and KOICA conclude a four-year project on IT capacity development

IT Park Uzbekistan, together with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Gyeongbuk Technopark (GBTP), has completed the four-year project “Support for foundation and capacity development for sustainable growth of IT Park”.

A closing ceremony and an Open Innovation experience-sharing session were held at the Tashkent branch of IT Park, where participants reviewed the project’s outcomes and discussed prospects for continued cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea.

Among the speakers were Pak Sol Ri, Deputy Director of the KOICA Office in Uzbekistan; Makhliyo Muksinova, Services Export Development Director of IT Park; experts from GBTP; and representatives of the Korea Technopark Promotion Association (KTPA) and DAINLEADERS. They emphasized the project’s importance for developing human capital, enhancing technological competencies and strengthening Uzbekistan’s role within the international IT community.

Open Innovation pilot projects

The final session presented the outcomes of three Open Innovation pilot projects implemented by member companies of IT Park Uzbekistan with support from Korean partners.

The first pilot project, AJIN–MIMAX, focused on introducing smart manufacturing through ERP-based systems. The team adapted a digital solution to the needs of Uzbekistan’s industrial enterprises, improving production efficiency, reducing manual processes and accelerating digital transformation in the local manufacturing sector. The project demonstrated the successful integration of international technologies into the national industrial environment.

The second pilot, VERYWORDS–IT HUB SAMARKAND, centred on promoting E-Mobility technologies and NET ZERO principles. The team produced a series of digital materials and video content dedicated to sustainable transport and environmental awareness. This initiative highlighted the potential for cooperation between Uzbekistan and Korea in green technology, digital media and sustainability.

The third pilot, SIHA–Planning (in collaboration with ROBOCELL), addressed the development of outsourcing solutions for the K-Beauty e-commerce sector. The team created a platform that enables Uzbek IT companies to provide services to Korean brands and expand their presence in the global e-commerce market. The project reflects Uzbekistan’s growing potential as an outsourcing hub and strengthens the role of local companies in global digital supply chains.

Taken together, the pilot projects demonstrated effective collaboration between IT Park members and Korean partners, reinforcing a model in which local companies act as active contributors to international innovation rather than passive recipients of technology.

Key results of the four-year programme

The KOICA GBTP IT Park Uzbekistan project, implemented from 2021 to 2025, made a significant contribution to the professional and technological development of the national IT ecosystem.

A total of 583 specialists completed capacity-building programs — 25 in the Republic of Korea and 558 in Uzbekistan. More than 200 participants graduated from educational courses in IT and entrepreneurship, and 30 practical training sessions were held to strengthen applied skills.

For member companies, 25 mentoring and consulting programs were delivered, involving around 180 companies. During ICT Week 2024 and 2025, 27 companies presented their projects.

During the program, 10 partnership agreements were concluded — two institutional memoranda and eight commercial arrangements — affirming the project’s practical value and long-term business orientation.

Future outlook and project conclusion

Although the program has formally concluded, it has laid the foundation for the next stage of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea. The results indicate a shift from a traditional “technology transfer” model to one focused on independent solution development, where Uzbek IT companies participate as full-fledged partners in global projects.

Building on this experience, IT Park, KOICA and GBTP intend to continue joint initiatives aimed at developing the digital industry, supporting the startup ecosystem and promoting innovative solutions from Central Asia on the international market.

The KOICA GBTP IT Park Uzbekistan project stands as a notable example of international cooperation, contributing to the expansion of the national IT ecosystem, improving talent development and strengthening Uzbekistan’s technological capacity.