Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan held discussions on a draft law aimed at establishing a legal framework for startup activity on 30 October 2026, bringing together more than 60 representatives of government agencies, startup companies, the investment community, startup ecosystem organizations and international partners.
The meeting was organized by Uzbekistan's Ministry of Economy and Finance and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, with support from the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Opening the meeting, Timur Khusanov, head of the Ministry of Economy and Finance's department responsible for analyzing, supporting and coordinating state policy on small and medium-sized enterprise development, outlined a gradual shift in the government's approach to the startup sector.
Khusanov said the focus was moving away from directly selecting promising projects toward creating equal and favorable conditions for all market participants to develop their businesses.
The approach was also supported by Neil McCain, IFC's head for Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and Charlie Morris, FCDO's adviser on economic development in Central Asia.
Participants examined the role of startups in fostering innovation, accelerating digital transformation, improving productivity and creating jobs. Particular attention was given to expanding entrepreneurial opportunities for young people and women.
The discussions also addressed the criteria for defining startups and obtaining official startup status, as well as mechanisms for government support, attracting investment and recruiting qualified specialists.
Participants further assessed how the provisions of the proposed legislation align with Uzbekistan's broader innovation development policies.
The meeting concluded with an emphasis on the need for a clear and transparent legislative framework that startups can apply in practice.
Participants also highlighted the importance of ensuring that the legislation remains responsive to changing market conditions and emerging trends in the startup sector.
