Uzbekistan and Pakistan are expanding cooperation in digital technologies and artificial intelligence. During negotiations between Sherzod Shermatov, Uzbekistan's Minister of Digital Technologies, and Bilal bin Saqib, Pakistan's Minister of State, joint projects in AI, data centers, IT services, startups, and investments were discussed.

The parties paid special attention to leveraging Pakistan's human potential, where a large number of IT specialists, freelancers, and technology companies operate. The discussion focused not only on exporting services but also on creating conditions for specialists to launch their own startups and digital products.

Uzbekistan and Pakistan also plan to bring their startup ecosystems closer, fostering interaction between venture funds and technology entrepreneurs. Possible joint projects include AI-based and other digital technology solutions for agriculture, medicine, and education.

Another area of development could be data centers and digital infrastructure using "green" energy. The parties also discussed attracting Pakistani IT companies to Uzbekistan and using the country as a platform for entering the markets of Central Asia and the CIS.

Under the "Zero Risk" program, foreign IT companies can be provided with offices, equipment, employee training, compensation for international certification costs, and tax incentives. This should simplify the launch of Pakistani business projects in Uzbekistan, including outside Tashkent.

Furthermore, the countries intend to increase mutual IT service exports and jointly enter the markets of third countries. After the negotiations, the Pakistani delegation visited IT Park Uzbekistan and UZINFOCOM, where they familiarized themselves with the development of the local IT industry, startups, and digital government services.