On Priority Measures for the Establishment of an International Digital Technologies Center (DP-25-son)

01.02.2024

Decree

of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

In order to create the most conducive environment for enhancing the investment appeal of the digital technology sector in the country and actively attracting foreign investments in the growth of the digital economy, accelerating the export efforts of businesses in the realm of digital technologies and expanding their integration with global markets:

1. It is hereby noticed that:

Presidential Decree No. PP-300 "On measures for qualitative and timely implementation of the Strategy "Uzbekistan - 2030" in 2023" dated September 11, 2023 defined the tasks to bring the volume of export of services in the IT-sector up to 5 billion dollars, the number of jobs created up to 100 thousand, creating more favorable conditions for foreign companies in the IT-Park and increasing the number of their representative offices up to 1,000;

the number of residents in the IT park has reached 1,652, including 426 with foreign capital participation, who produced goods and services valued at 12.5 trillion soums and exported them for $344 million.

2. In agreement with the proposals from the Ministry of Digital Technologies, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade, which were developed with the involvement of leading international experts, the following measures are proposed:

establishment of the International Digital Technology Center (International Digital Technology Center — «ENTERPRISE UZBEKISTAN», hereafter referred to as the "Center") within the premises of the IT Park, which will be designated as a special area with favorable conditions for the development and production of digital technology products and services;

4. In order to establish a special legal framework for foreign IT companies operating in the Center, the Ministry of Digital Technologies is tasked with:

assistance in attracting investments into the country's digital economy through the creation of favorable conditions for entrepreneurial and investment activity in the field of digital technologies, based on international best practices;

development of consulting, legal, financial and other services for residents of the Technological Park of Software Products and Information Technologies (IT Park), as well as other enterprises and organizations;

promoting and fostering the development of exports of digital technologies and services by enterprises and organizations, facilitating the expansion of their activities in foreign markets;

development of modern infrastructure within the territory of the Center.

6. To the Coordinating Council (A. Aripov):

a) within three months:

submit to the Office of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a draft resolution approving the Concept of Development for the Center, as well as mechanisms to regulate relations arising from the experiment based on a special legal framework in the territory of the Center;

together with the Administrative Council of the Technological Park of Software Products and Information Technologies, to submit proposals to the Cabinet of Ministers on the definition of the territory of the Center;

b) annually, by April 1st, submit to the Office of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan information on the progress of the project, as well as suggestions for further enhancement of the project being conducted on the premises of the Center.

7. The Ministry of Digital Technologies, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Investment and Trade, shall submit to the Cabinet of Ministers a draft law of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the International Center for Digital Technologies, taking into account the preliminary findings of the pilot project, by December 1, 2024.

Ensure that the draft law reflects:

the Board of the Center and its status;

special legal framework defining a special procedure and legal norms for carrying out entrepreneurial activities aimed at attracting investment and stimulating export activities in the field of digital technologies, as well as regulating customs and tax spheres, labor relations and other conditions;

a separate procedure for the implementation of financial and banking activities, processing and protection of personal data, provision of public services, protection of intellectual property, as well as consideration of commercial and civil disputes;

sources of funding for the Center and other matters.

8. Assign to the Minister of Digital Technologies, Sh.Kh. Shermatov, personal responsibility for ensuring the effective implementation of this Decree.

The discussion of the implementation of this Decree, as well as coordination and monitoring of the activities of departments responsible for its execution, should be assigned to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, A.N. Aripov.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh. MIRZIYOYEV

Tashkent,

February 1, 2024 y.,

No. DP-25

ANNEX to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated February 1, 2024 No. DP-25

BODY

of the Coordinating Council for the organization of the International Digital Technologies Center

Nota Bene: when members of the Council change position, the composition of the Council may include newly appointed individuals or individuals entrusted with relevant functions and responsibilities.