Uzbekistan plans to export IT services to Europe and the US through Serbia

According to Shermatov, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has “opened a major door” to Europe and resolved political issues between Uzbekistan and European partners. However, he noted that European businesses remain reluctant to directly place orders with Uzbek IT companies.

“The Serbian IT industry has strong potential in Eastern Europe. Now we can create synergy: Serbian firms can take on contracts, and we will help them find specialists in Uzbekistan. This way, both their companies and ours will earn profits. It will help boost exports and create new jobs,” Shermatov explained.

Director of Serbia’s Office for IT and eGovernment, Mihailo Jovanović, added that Serbia could serve as a “gateway” or hub for Uzbek companies and startups exporting services to Western Europe and the United States.

On 29 October, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. The two countries agreed to cooperate in labor migration and signed several agreements in the fields of tourism, medical services, artificial intelligence, and investment promotion and protection.

That same day, Aleksandar Vučić visited IT Park Uzbekistan, accompanied by Minister Sherzod Shermatov. The sides agreed to establish an IT enterprise in Serbia to implement technological projects, including the Palm ID system developed by Uzinfocom. They are also considering the creation of a joint venture capital fund.

Uzbekistan expressed readiness to invest in server infrastructure and hire engineers to operate the Palm ID system in Serbia. In return, Serbia will assist in introducing and promoting the technology in its domestic market and, eventually, across the European Union.

Additionally, Uzbekistan and Serbia discussed launching a $1 million venture program to support Uzbek startups entering the European market and Serbian projects expanding into Central Asia.