In March, Rajarshi Chakraborty and his father, representing Rishi Partners, were among the over 150 foreign investors from more than 35 countries invited to the IT Offshore Outsourcing Tour in Uzbekistan. Hosted by the Ministry of Digital Technologies and ITPark Uzbekistan, the event aimed to showcase Uzbekistan’s burgeoning capabilities in IT outsourcing.
"The diversity of attendees was reminiscent of a United Nations assembly," Chakraborty noted, highlighting the global interest in Uzbekistan's IT sector, from neighbors to distant nations like Colombia and the Philippines.
Upon arrival in Tashkent, the warm Uzbek hospitality was immediately evident. "From the VIP treatment at the airport to the local cuisine, everything was orchestrated to provide a comprehensive insight into Uzbekistan’s cultural and technological potential," he explained. The three-day tour included high-level conferences, visits to IT companies and universities, and cultural programs in Tashkent and Samarkand.
Despite its recent opening to the global market post-2017, Uzbekistan is rapidly establishing itself as a significant tech hub. "Under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s leadership, there’s a major push to expand the IT footprint," Chakraborty shared. The country offers a young, multilingual workforce, favorable government policies, and burgeoning tech education facilities, with over 65 IT-focused universities and a vibrant scene for online independent learning.
"The existing $300mn offshore market, particularly between the USA and Uzbekistan, surprised me," he added, pointing to the successful integration of Uzbek services in international markets, such as American trucking logistics.
Chakraborty believes that new technologies like generative AI could further accelerate growth, citing the recent announcement of Uzum, Uzbekistan’s first tech unicorn, as a sign of the vibrant ecosystem ready to emulate the success stories of Silicon Valley’s PayPal Mafia or Berlin’s Rocket Internet.
Reflecting on his visit, he expressed enthusiasm about future collaborations between Europe and Central Asia, buoyed by the hospitable reception and the promising economic landscape. "The trip was not only about exploring business opportunities but also about building lasting intercultural bridges," he concluded.
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