Uzbek President Signs Law Creating Enterprise Uzbekistan Tech Hub

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a constitutional law establishing a special legal framework for the Enterprise Uzbekistan International Digital Technology Center, according to the press service of IT Park Uzbekistan.

The law forms a long-term legal foundation through the year 2100 aimed at attracting global technology companies, startups, investors, research institutions, and highly qualified specialists to Uzbekistan.

Enterprise Uzbekistan Vice President for Global Business Development Bohodir Ayupov stated that the signed law provides a clear legal basis for international tech companies and investors, eliminating a key barrier to entering the Uzbek market.

Under the legislation, regulations for the center may be developed incorporating elements of English and Welsh common law as well as standards from leading international financial hubs. Preferences, capabilities, and incentives granted under the special legal regime cannot be altered to the detriment of recipients or terminated before their expiration dates.

Entities engaging in approved activities can become center residents upon registration in a single register. The regime allows for the creation of companies under the center's law, foreign branch operations, and the participation of entities from other jurisdictions. The center's governing bodies are granted powers to handle registration, accreditation, licensing procedures, and consulting services.

The law establishes a framework for alternative and venture investments, categorizing investors into institutional, startup, resident, and infrastructure investors. Investors may freely choose their investment amounts and forms, and retain full rights over generated income. Their assets and funds are protected against nationalization, expropriation, confiscation, freezing, and other restrictions, except where explicitly mandated by law or judicial decisions.

A regulatory sandbox instrument allows participants to test innovative technologies, products, and services for up to 12 months in controlled conditions, with temporary exemptions from specific statutory requirements and simplified licensing access. Successful solutions may be permanently implemented at the center or scaled across Uzbekistan.

Foreign employees of the center will be eligible for entry visas valid for up to three years, obtainable at embassies, international airports, or within the country. The employment system supports remote work, flexible scheduling, and alternative compensation arrangements, while enforcing baseline labor protections.

Participants will access banking, investment, insurance, and payment services via accredited partners. Foreign bank branches may open within the center subject to approval from the Central Bank of Uzbekistan.

Special regulations will govern personal data protection aligned with international standards, permitting cloud storage and processing under specified security protocols. Intellectual property protections will follow recognized international norms, featuring digital application procedures.

The law guarantees freedom to research, develop, test, and implement artificial intelligence technologies while upholding public safety, human rights, and international commitments. Educational institutions, including foreign university branches, academies, and research centers, may operate using programs from leading foreign organizations under special licenses issued by the center's administration.

A special tax framework applies to activities within the center, retaining only value-added tax, corporate income tax, and personal income tax, while eliminating all other taxes and duties. For export and internal center activities, the law sets a zero percent rate for corporate income tax, value-added tax, and foreign employee personal income tax, while exempting investors from taxes on dividends and investment income. English will serve as the official language for business administration.

Civil, economic, corporate, and labor disputes arising under the special regime fall under the jurisdiction of the Tashkent International Commercial Court.

The highest governing body of Enterprise Uzbekistan is the Governing Council, chaired by the President of Uzbekistan. Executive functions are managed by the Center Administration, which oversees rule-making, infrastructure, participant support, and the regulatory sandbox. Initial phases will focus on adopting operational regulations, launching digital services, and onboarding global partners and tech firms.