Uzbekistan is to designate “Information Technology towns” in 15 regions across the country, aiming to bolster the development of digital technologies and provide opportunities for youth in remote areas, the presidency has announced.

In recent years, Uzbekistan's tech industry has grown rapidly. The number of IT companies has jumped from 147 to 2,000, with over 30,000 employees now in high-paying roles. 

More than 70,000 young people are involved in IT. In the last four months, the sector's services increased by 20%, leading to $200mn in exports and 5,000 new jobs. 

"In the era of rapid changes, all fields need personnel who know information technologies. The main resource for both services and exports in this area is qualified professionals. IT towns should be a system that will serve as a wing for young people and teach them modern professions," Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev remarked.

The move comes as Uzbekistan seeks to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on traditional sectors. Currently, the bulk of IT services and exports are concentrated in the capital, Tashkent, with 80% of professionals residing there.

Under the project, IT towns will be established in 15 regions. They will include Chimboy, Gijduvon, Zomin, and Shahrisabz, among others, along with the city of Khanabad. These locations will serve as hubs for IT education and entrepreneurship, aiming to train around 10,000 young people annually in IT and other modern professions, free of charge.

Mirziyoyev proposed conducting competitions for startup projects, with grants allocated worth up to UZS1bn ($78,752) based on results. The president stressed the importance of increasing transparency in the selection process and involving prestigious international companies in evaluations.

Uzbekistan is progressing in the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) programmes, with initiatives such as the "My ID" system for biometric identification. Presently, 28 banks and five state organisations are integrated into this system, with over 8,200,000 users registered.

Additionally, the country is working on an Uzbek voice assistant named "Mukhlisa," designed for integration into various modern devices.

The government also aims to streamline utility services through the introduction of the Unified Utilities Platform, allowing consumers to make payments for services from multiple providers through a single online platform.