The initiative is organized by the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan and IT Park Uzbekistan.

The aim of the “Offshore Outsourcing Tour” is to introduce international corporations to Uzbekistan’s potential in the field of information technology and outsourcing, as well as to showcase the opportunities and initiatives implemented by the government to promote investment in the country.

Uzbekistan’s Potential as an Outsourcing Destination

In recent years, Uzbekistan has emerged as the new attractive outsourcing destination. The country offers unprecedented tax incentives, customs preferences and various support programs.

Since 2017, exports or IT services exports have increased from USD 700 thousand to USD 344 million in 2023. The number of residents with foreign capital in IT Park has increased twenty-fold in the last two years, reaching 464 entities, while the total number of residents of the organization amounts to 1828 companies.

One of the Republic’s biggest goals is to export IT services worth a total of $5 billion by 2030, a 14.5-fold increase compared to 2023 figures.

The organization of various international events such as the “Uzbekistan Outsourcing Conference” and the “Uzbekistan Tech Conference” contributes to the realization of this goal.

IT Park representatives actively participate in international IT events, organize visits with foreign organizations and corporations, work to improve the legal framework and create more favorable conditions and opportunities. Also, efforts are being made to establish the International Centre for Digital Technologies “Enterprise Uzbekistan”.

“Offshore Outsourcing Tour” and the Advantages of Uzbekistan for Establishing a Global Business

The “Offshore Outsourcing Tour” event will be attended by over 200 representatives of foreign companies and organizations, and participants will be introduced to the main advantages of Uzbekistan for global business ventures. Some of these advantages are related to highly skilled employees who are fluent in foreign languages; good tax conditions with 0% corporate, social, property and land tax rates, customs preferences and zero VAT rate; support programs; IT visa with a term of up to three years; the opportunity to set up a business in just 6-8 weeks, with the “One Stop Shop” service, and continuous support from IT Park during this time.

The event starts today in Tashkent. Speakers are Sherzod Shermatov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Digital Technology and Farhad Ibrahimov, CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan.

The first day includes two panel discussions that will cover topics related to talent development and innovation in education and the performance of the outsourcing ecosystem in Uzbekistan, outlining the specifics and interests of the ITES industry in the country.

A roundtable discussion on navigating the IT outsourcing market in Uzbekistan will be held tomorrow in Samarkand. Participants will receive information from industry experts on the key steps in establishing and doing business in Uzbekistan.

The last day of the event is dedicated to a cultural program in Samarkand, including visits to famous historical sites.

“The past year has brought to the world an almost unparalleled and diverse array of technological change. Advances in artificial intelligence are accelerating innovation and reshaping the way societies interact and operate. At the same time, cybercriminals and nation-state attackers have unleashed opposing initiatives and innovations that threaten security and stability in communities and countries around the world”, Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft, wrote in a blog post.

The Secure Future Initiative consists of three main components: defences that use artificial intelligence, advances in software engineering, and international norms to protect civilians from cyber threats.

In the realm of artificial intelligence, the company aims to establish an “AI-powered cybersecurity barrier” geared towards safeguarding both customers and nations. The company is actively enhancing its internal protective capabilities, with the intention of applying these technologies directly to bolster customer security.

Furthermore, there are plans to leverage AI in addressing the existing shortage of cybersecurity professionals, which stands at approximately 3 million individuals. A key player in this endeavor is the Microsoft Security Copilot, utilizing AI for the detection and response to security threats. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint will also harness AI-driven detection mechanisms to enhance device security.

“As a company, we are committed to building an AI-based cyber shield that will protect customers and countries around the world. Our global network of AI-based datacenters and use of advanced foundation AI models puts us in a strong position to put AI to work to advance cybersecurity protection”, Smith wrote.

Microsoft is set to enhance its security stance against identity-based attacks by refining the user, device, and service verification procedures throughout its product range. To achieve this, Microsoft intends to transition to a novel key management system with an architecture that renders keys inaccessible in cases where the foundational security protocols are compromised.
The ultimate objective within this framework is to slash the time allocated to addressing vulnerabilities by half, all while promoting greater transparency in event reporting within the industry.

Lastly, the company is committed to promoting wider global adoption of security measures. This commitment follows the company’s establishment of the Digital Geneva Convention in 2017, which outlined a framework of “principles and norms governing the conduct of both state and non-state entities in cyberspace.” While acknowledging the progress made by many governments since then, the company believes that going forward, a more comprehensive and overarching commitment is imperative.

The Alexa division will undergo a restructuring that will result in job cuts. The move is part of Amazon’s strategy to streamline operations and focus on key growth areas. Although no specific details on the number of cuts have been revealed, it is understood that they will affect a significant portion of the workforce.

In addition to this, the cloud gaming division will also make cuts. That division, focused on cloud gaming services, has faced challenges competing with industry giants like Google and Microsoft. The layoffs indicate a reassessment of Amazon’s approach to the cloud gaming market and a reallocation of resources to other initiatives.

These developments are further evidence of Amazon adapting to changing market dynamics and prioritizing areas with the greatest growth potential. With its latest actions, the company aims to better position itself in the highly competitive technology industry.

While layoffs can be troubling for employees, they can also have their upside. The layoffs signal the company’s efforts to optimize its resources and align its workforce with its strategic goals.

Amazon is expected to make further adjustments to its organizational structure and initiatives.

Here are the most important steps that will help you become a good leader, according to Indeed.

Communication and liaison with other technology leaders
Communicating with other tech leaders can help you understand what it’s like to be a leader in the tech industry. You can interact with these professionals through social media, conferences, or professional learning opportunities. If you have a chance to talk with them, you can ask questions such as:

-What did you do when you first tried to make a name for yourself as a leader in the tech industry?
-What could you change about your earlier initiatives to become a leader?
-Do you have any advice for professionals who are interested in becoming leaders in technology?

Exploring what current tech leaders are doing can also help you strategize your own path to tech leadership. A good example is never superfluous.

Advocacy for technological excellence
You can also advocate for technological advances in the specific industries where you want to create solutions to solve problems. For example, if you want to work in healthcare, you can advocate for advanced technologies to treat specific health challenges, such as cancer. Advocating for specific technological advances can also help you connect with other technology leaders who are interested in finding solutions to similar problems.

Setting up an organization
Once you have identified the technological advances you want to implement, you can create an organization to develop them. Having your own technology organization is beneficial as it provides you with a platform to share your ideas.

Promoting your organization
Part of leadership in the tech industry is getting the attention of other tech leaders, which you can do by promoting your organization. Specifically, promoting your purpose and values can help encourage conversations about what you do in the tech industry.

Understand your long-term goals
Understanding your organization’s long-term goals and the technological advancements you want to create is helpful for prioritizing your current tasks. Recognizing these important areas early can help you prioritize your technology operations to achieve your long-term goals.

Work with your community
Working with your community is another way you can increase support for your organization and technology advancements. The specific community members you work with may vary depending on the technology advancements you are trying to develop. Getting support within your community is also useful for helping you promote yourself and your organization more widely.

Mentor your employees
Taking the time to mentor your employees can also help you become a technology leader because it’s a learning process for both you and them. Providing advice and additional training can also show them that you’re invested in their professional journeys and goals.

Encourage innovation and experimental thinking
Encouraging innovation and experimental thinking is an important step toward becoming a tech leader because effective leaders can inspire others to reach their own goals. You might provide this encouragement with training programs, speaking at professional events or starting your own technology podcast. This might help others find the confidence they need to make their technological ideas a reality.

“We are looking forward to Chhavi and Nitesh joining our leadership team, bringing deep technical skills and leadership acumen. With the added firepower, we are setting the stage for taking the engineering and product development footprint of dunnhumby India to the next level,”

Chhavi Sinha has 17 years of engineering and technology experience and has been with dunnhumby since 2011. She has worked with multiple retailers across US, Europe and Asia markets. In her previous role, she led dunnhumby’s APAC Data Engineering team and has also been at the forefront of multiple initiatives across technology and science teams, which redefined the way dunnhumby operates. In her new role, Chhavi will report to Prithvesh Katoch, Global Head of Client Data Services. Chhavi said:

“I am excited about the opportunity to enhance the maturity of our data engineering function, preparing for the future with best-in-class solutions.”

In the past two years, dunnhumby India has been hiring engineering and product development skills. The India arm has 370 technology professionals in this space now, accounting for more than half of its India employee base of 710.

The announcement also signifies dunnhumby’s ambition to cultivate more diversity in leadership. With the induction of the new leaders, five of dunnhumby’s 13-member India leadership team will be female leaders.

dunnhumby India is expanding at a compounded annual growth rate of 19%. The office was started in 2008 as a hub of data engineering, data science and product development, and is today a key driver of dunnhumby’s growth.

Desislava Avramova is а Development Manager at SAP Labs Bulgaria, an adventure-seeker and an adrenaline-sports lover. She thinks that we need to feel as good in our comfort zone as outside of it so that we can see how easy it gets to make an achievement. Combining her personal and professional life was easy for her because right from the beginning she turned her hobby into her job. She loves what she’s doing, and she does not put any limits or hard stops on these two parts. Her recommendation is to stay curious and always set goals so big that you can’t achieve them until you grow into the person who can. SAP Labs Bulgaria is very active in the area of diversity and gender equality because it has regular initiatives and activities for attracting and developing women in their careers. Desi thinks that in most cases, by nature, women are very caring and family-oriented and this is how they drive their business too. It happens on a subconscious level and it gives great results. She also adds that we should not forget that each skill, quality, and characteristic of an individual is a product of many complex influences and experiences throughout our whole life and in most cases, it has nothing to do with our gender. And the “charm”, by no doubt, always works. The biggest inspiration in her professional life is her team. There is no bigger booster for her than their success and growth, professionally and personally. However, she shared with us that it was not always sunny. Sometimes her team had to go through very difficult moments together but at the end of the day the good stuff, the mutual respect and support are what remains in their memories. Her strong will, great communication skills and ability to influence, motivate, energize and inspire people brought her to the position of Development Manager at SAP Labs Bulgaria. She likes to pave the roads in areas that are not so well explored and settled and lead her team through this amazing journey.

“You need to feel as good in your comfort zone as outside of it and then you see how easy it gets to make an achievement. There is nothing to fear but the fear itself.”

Can you share something specific about you that we can’t find on LinkedIn?

I am a fan of sports that make your heart beat fast and your blood run cold such as balloon rides, submarine diving, aquaplaning, all-terrain vehicles racing, swimming among stingrays, mantas and sharks or horses and camel rides. You need to learn to take risks and the consequences of your decisions. You need to feel as good in your comfort zone as outside of it and then you see how easy it gets to make an achievement. There is nothing to fear but the fear itself.

Have you encountered any challenges in your career in connection to being a woman?

Of course, I did. One of the most memorable cases was about 10 years ago. I was already a Global Leader of a unit and there was an escalation with a very important customer. They insisted on having an on-site workshop on their premises with the presence of the manager on our side to speed up the decision-making. I was the first to arrive in the meeting room as I wanted to make a technical check of the equipment and be sure that all works as expected. Then all the rest joined, and I suggested that we are complete, and we could start. Right at this moment the manager from the customer side looked at me and said “Well miss, we cannot start because we are expecting the Global Leader to join and he has not arrived yet. But if you don’t mind in the meantime you can bring us one more pot of coffee”. I guess that he perceived me as the coffee or the facility lady. You can imagine how awkward it got when I explained that “he” is “she” and it is actually “me”. But this did not prevent us from signing the deal and doing a great job together.

Do you know how many women work in your position?

Not enough.

Do you think that the problem of gender inequality is still relevant in Bulgaria and globally?

I think that this is a big topic and we cannot give a straight answer right away. I can say that in Bulgaria and globally we have made huge steps in providing equal opportunities for all genders. The matter gets very complicated when it comes to the point of psychological perceptions, prejudices and ideas which are driven by families, societies, religions. We still have a long way to go.

Which policies does your company encourage regarding gender diversity?

My company is very active in this area. We have regular initiatives and activities for attracting and developing women in their careers. We also strive for gender parity year over year.

Do your male colleagues treat you differently?

I truly believe that the way people treat you depends more on who you are as an individual and not on your gender. The determinator of professional relationships is a quite broad blend of skills you have, and your gender is not on the list.

Do you think that a woman’s appearance and charm affect their professional success? (example: does it make communication easier?)

I think that males and females have strengths that complement each other very well. Indeed, women are good at structuring, organizing, having a plan, setting the direction, and communicating all this. In most cases, by nature, women are very caring and family-oriented and this is how they drive their business too. It happens on a subconscious level and it gives great results. But we should not forget that each skill, quality, and characteristic of an individual is a product of many complex influences and experiences throughout their whole life and in most cases, it has nothing to do with their gender. And the “charm”, no doubt it always works.

Read More Inspiring Stories for Women in Tech in WRTech here.

How do you combine personal and professional life? Do you have any rules that you follow?

It is very easy for me because I turned my hobby into my job. I love what I do, and I do not put any limits or hard stops on these two parts. I think that this significantly decreases stress levels and increases satisfaction. I surround myself with people with similar visions and attitudes towards life and business and thus I get support and understanding. It definitely helps.

Which sources do you follow and can you recommend some of them to our audience? (example: podcasts, pages, influencers, vloggers, etc)

I am very curious and I am open to all sources so I would not recommend any in particular. My recommendation is – Stay curious and always set goals so big that you can’t achieve them until you grow into the person who can.

“I think that males and females have strengths which complement each other very well.”

Can you share some key moments from your career?

I guess that the game-changer in my career happened when I was driving an IT Security related Project in a bank as a side-hobby project while my real job there was related to Project Management of finance projects. One day my manager at that time came to me and said “Look, I see that the job you are doing for the IT Security topic is outstanding and you do it with such eagerness and fluency that it is amazing. I would like you to take over the role of Head of our IT Governance Unit. What would you say?”. No need to say that I was scared but excited too. I have always thought that I can take over a unit like Risk Management or Bad Credits unit etc. but I have never considered changing the domain. When I slept over it, I realized that being offered the chance to do something which you love doing in your free time is the offer of your life. The other great thing which came into my career was the opportunity to work in multinational companies and manage global teams all around the world. This made me realize that the sky’s the limit and that there are indeed cultural differences but there are more similarities among the people from all around the world.

If we could turn back in time what is the advice you would give to yourself? 

I would have advised myself that I can only win if my will to succeed is bigger than my fear of failing. Young professionals should know that God loves the brave. There is absolutely no guarantee for success for anything in life and you need simply to learn to take risks and go for the things you really believe are worth the effort.

What inspires you in your professional and personal plan?

The biggest inspiration in my professional life – this is my team. There is no bigger booster for me than watching them succeed and grow, both professionally and personally. I cannot even find the words to express how rewarded and satisfied I feel when I look back and see all those people who grew from junior to senior roles in my teams and all along the way we have celebrated marriages, new-born babies, first baby teeth, first school days, first teenage love of their kids and many other memorable events. Well, it was not always sunny. Sometimes we had to go through very difficult moments together overcoming devastating divorces, loss of beloved people and sickness times. But at the end of the day the good stuff, the mutual respect and support is what remains in our memories. In the personal aspect, the biggest inspiration for me comes from my beloved friends. They are my rock and my safe place. We brainstorm ideas and dreams together. I also get huge inspiration and wisdom from the lectures of some gurus and wisdom teachers. It is always motivating and energizing to see the success stories of people around you too.

What are your hobbies?

Apart from the list of extreme sports, I like walking in the park with good company, swimming, reading and spending time with loved ones. Tell us more about your experience. During the last 13 years, I have been taking leadership and senior leadership positions in areas like IT Governance, ITSM, SLM and Reporting Onboarding, Presales, Solution Architecture, User Acceptance Testing, Validation and Operational Readiness Review, Project Management and Development. I have the unique opportunity to work in great companies and build high performing teams. I like to pave the roads in areas that are not so well explored and settled and lead my teams through this amazing journey. We are creating brand new products and services and we are delighted to serve our customers’ business needs.

Favourite clothes?

Those which fit for the occasion.

High heels or flat shoes?

High heels – you need to go a bit up to see the big picture.

Which typical female quality or household responsibility does not apply to you?

Emotional outbursts and cooking simply do not resonate with me somehow.

What is THE thing that you must have in your bag when going out?

A Credit card and cash.

Favourite lipstick colour?

Natural lips colour.

If You Want to Read More Inspiring Stories for Success and Professional Growth Join the DevStyleR #Tech Influencers Community and Get Access to our Special Editions here.