Uzbekistan is trying to position itself as a technology hub for Central Asia, combining tax incentives, sector-specific tech parks, a young workforce and closer regional ties. A key part of that push is “Enterprise Uzbekistan,” a free zone for technology companies and financial organizations that is expected to operate under English common law.
Seven years after its launch, IT Park Uzbekistan has become a central part of the country’s digital strategy. Since its founding, Uzbekistan has seen a 13-fold increase in foreign direct investment inflows and a tripling of foreign trade turnover. StartupBlink recently ranked Uzbekistan as the world’s fastest-growing startup ecosystem.
A New Legal Framework for Tech and Investment
Enterprise Uzbekistan is designed to give foreign companies a legal environment separate from the domestic Uzbek system. Companies registered there would operate under English common law, a structure familiar to international investors and venture funds.
The zone is scheduled for a full launch in early 2027 and is modeled on international financial centers such as Astana and Dubai. It is expected to support structures such as limited partnerships and general partnerships, which are widely used in venture capital. The planned territory in Tashkent will exceed 10 hectares, and companies will be able to establish branches or holding structures under the regime.
Uzbekistan is also building specialized technoparks. IT Park focuses on software, digital products and IT exports; Inno Technopark on hardware and manufacturing; Creative Park on gaming, user-generated content and digital art; and Cyber Park on cybersecurity.
IT Park residents receive a 0% corporate tax, 0% social tax and a 7.5% personal income tax rate for employees. Foreign investors can own 100% of a company, registration can take as little as three working days, and the “Zero Risk” package offers a free office and equipment for one year to companies operating outside Tashkent.
Talent, Regions and the Startup Ecosystem
Uzbekistan also points to demographics as an advantage. About 65% of its 39 million people are under 35, and 146 universities offer IT-focused programs.
“We’re the number one English-speaking nation in Central Asia,” said Gul Hassan of IT Park’s partnership team during a presentation on September 10, 2026. He said younger people are increasingly adopting English over Russian as the country tries to integrate its workforce into the global digital economy.
Officials also highlight regional specializations. Fergana Valley is presented as a source of young talent and lower operating costs; Karakalpakstan as a potential hub for AI and data centers because of low water and electricity costs; and Bukhara and Samarkand as sources of talent in mathematics, physics and chemistry.
The startup market has expanded quickly. Uzbek startups raised $3 million in 2022, $329 million in 2025. The number of local venture funds has grown from two in 2022 to 22, with more than $200 million available for investment.
Government programs include Digital Uprise, which can match up to $100,000 in foreign venture capital invested in local startups, and the upcoming “President of Uzbekistan’s Land of Startups” competition, with a $5 million prize fund.
Regional Collaboration and the Next Step
Uzbekistan is also working more closely with Kazakhstan’s Astana Hub, promoting the region under initiatives such as the “Central Asian Innovation Hub.” Tajikistan has joined the effort, and Azerbaijan is expected to participate as well.
When comparing Uzbekistan with Kazakhstan, one official emphasized market size while acknowledging Kazakhstan’s head start: “If you’re looking for a market, Uzbekistan is the better one because we are like a half Central Asian population.”
Uzbekistan’s strategy combines legal reform, tax incentives, talent development and regional cooperation. The launch of Enterprise Uzbekistan could add another tool for attracting international technology companies and investors.
Questions remain over whether infrastructure outside Tashkent can keep pace with high-tech industries and whether the workforce can scale fast enough. For now, Uzbekistan is betting that digital services, startups and stronger links with global capital can drive its next stage of growth.