IT Park Uzbekistan has been named the winner of the “Knowledge Zone of the Year – Asia-Pacific” category at the Global Free Zones of the Year Awards 2026, organized by fDi Intelligence, a specialist publication within the Financial Times Group.
The recognition reflects IT Park Uzbekistan’s achievements in developing a competitive technology ecosystem, attracting international companies and investment, and strengthening the country’s digital talent pool. It also acknowledges Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to advance technology education, workforce development, and innovation.
Held annually, the Global Free Zones of the Year Awards recognize economic zones around the world that implement effective strategies to attract businesses and investment. In 2026, the awards covered three categories: Industrial Zones, Knowledge Zones, and Rising Stars. The Knowledge Zones category recognizes locations specializing in information technology, finance, business services, and other high-value-added activities.
Investment in human capital is one of the priorities of Uzbekistan’s digital transformation. National education initiatives and IT Park Uzbekistan’s workforce development programs are helping prepare a new generation of technology professionals for the international labor market.
According to the latest data provided by IT Park Uzbekistan, 1.7 million young people have received training through the “One Million Uzbek Programmers” project, while 1.3 million participants have been trained under the “Five Million AI Leaders” initiative.
In addition, 4,926 young professionals have received support through a program covering the costs of international IT certifications. More than UZS 18 billion has been allocated to cover the costs of internationally recognized IT certifications and training.
Under the IT-Talents program, UZS 3.17 billion has also been allocated to support educational institutions whose graduates secure employment with IT export companies.
Initiatives such as ICT4Girls, startup incubation programs, and national technology competitions are helping promote entrepreneurship and expand opportunities in technology for young people and women. The development of advanced digital skills is also supported by 20 artificial intelligence laboratories established at higher education institutions.
These initiatives demonstrate the cooperation between IT Park Uzbekistan and national institutions to strengthen digital education, train qualified professionals, and build a sustainable talent pipeline for the technology sector. Education and talent development were also among the areas highlighted in IT Park Uzbekistan’s submission for the international award.
IT Park Uzbekistan continues to strengthen the country’s position as an emerging technology and outsourcing hub. Its ecosystem currently brings together more than 4,100 resident companies, including over 1,200 companies with foreign participation. These companies employ more than 56,000 professionals, contributing to job creation and the development of the country’s technology workforce.
The fact that more than 1,100 export-oriented companies provide services to 102 countries is further strengthening Uzbekistan’s integration into international technology markets.
According to the latest data provided by IT Park Uzbekistan, exports of information and communication technology services have exceeded USD 1.1 billion. This reflects the expanding international reach of the country’s business sector.
Competitive tax incentives, developing infrastructure, and international cooperation are helping IT Park Uzbekistan attract foreign technology companies and create new opportunities for export-oriented businesses.
Uzbekistan’s technology ecosystem is gaining increasing international recognition. In the StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026, Uzbekistan was named “Country of the Year 2026” and recognized as the world’s fastest-growing startup ecosystem, recording growth of 227.3%.
Over two years, the country climbed 31 places to rank 79th globally, while Tashkent ranked 229th among startup cities worldwide. According to Dealroom, the estimated total value of Uzbekistan’s startup ecosystem reached USD 4.3 billion in 2026, reflecting the continued expansion of technology entrepreneurship and investment activity.
The recognition of IT Park Uzbekistan by fDi Intelligence marks another milestone in the country’s efforts to build an internationally competitive technology sector, supported by an investment-friendly policy environment, developing digital infrastructure, and a growing pool of skilled technology professionals.
