Sherzod Shermatov: Uzbekistan–China ties open new digital opportunities

Uzbekistan's Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, said cooperation between Uzbekistan and China in digital technologies, artificial intelligence and innovation is opening new opportunities. Chinese Premier Li Qiang made an official visit to Uzbekistan on October 17–18. During the visit, high-level talks were held and a series of documents were signed to advance trade-economic, investment and cultural-humanitarian cooperation.

Shermatov said Chinese technologies offer affordable, convenient and fast internet, which is why most operators in Uzbekistan use them. Under the cooperation, Uzbek specialists are being trained in new technologies through the Huawei IT Academy and Seeds for the Future programmes. Partner-country courses are also being introduced in higher education. The Samarkand-2028 satellite was launched into space together with Chinese partners and carries a hyperspectral analysis module based on artificial intelligence.

Shermatov said Huawei chose Tashkent for its regional hub, from which it serves CIS countries and Mongolia. The company exported services worth about $12 million last year. He described the premier's visit as a historic event and noted that the president views cooperation with any major country in terms of economic growth and the creation of high-income jobs.