DIGITAL ECONOMY OF UZBEKISTAN

Аннотация

This article discusses the current development of the digital economy in Uzbekistan, focusing on government strategies, e-commerce, digital banking, education, and challenges like digital inequality. The paper emphasizes the role of public and private sectors in building digital infrastructure and highlights the need for further improvements to reach full digital inclusion. Keywords:Uzbekistan, digital economy, e-commerce, digital banking, online education, digital transformation, digital inequality, IT Park Uzbekistan. In recent years, Uzbekistan has started developing its digital economy as part of its national modernization goals. This process is not easy, but the country is making important progress. Digital economy means using digital technologies, especially the internet, to improve business, services, and communication. In Uzbekistan, it includes e-commerce, e-government, online education, digital banking, and more. The government understands that digital development is necessary for economic growth andglobal competitiveness. One of the main drivers of digital transformation in Uzbekistan is government policy. In 2018, the President of Uzbekistan signed a decree called "On Measures for the Development of the Digital Economy in the Republic of Uzbekistan." This document created a roadmap for digital reforms and supported the creation of a Ministry for Development of Information Technologies and Communications. Since then, many state services have become available online. For example, citizens can now get documents, register businesses, or pay taxes using online platforms like “my.gov.uz” (World Bank, 2022). These services save time and increase transparency, which isimportant in fighting corruption. Another important area of digital economy is e-commerce. More people are using the internet to shop or sell products. Platforms like ZoodMall and Uzum have become popular. Local entrepreneurs also use social media like Instagram or Telegram to advertise their products. According to the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, the volume of e- commerce doubled between 2020 and 2022 (Mininfocom, 2023). This growth is also connected with increasing access to the internet. As of 2023, around 75% of the population uses the internet regularly (Datareportal, 2023). The government has also started to develop 5G networks inmajorcities, which willimproveonlineservices and attract digital businesses. Digital banking is another fast-growing sector in Uzbekistan’s digital economy. Most Uzbek banks now offer mobile applications that allow users to perform a variety of financial operations without visiting a physical bank. People can easily transfer money, pay for utility services, make online purchases, and even apply for small loans through their smartphones. These apps are convenient and save time, especially for people who live far from bank branches. Services like Click, Payme, and Apelsin have become very popular in recent years. They are page644 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ISSN:2692-5206,ImpactFactor:12,23 AmericanAcademicpublishers,volume05,issue04,2025 Journal: https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai widely used, especially among younger generations who are more familiar with digital technologies and prefer fast, easy solutions for daily transactions. These platforms are also increasingly accepted by small and medium businesses, which now allow customers to pay by scanning QR codes or using online wallets. As a result, cashless payments are becoming more commonacross thecountry. To support the growth of digital finance, the Central Bank of Uzbekistan is taking several steps. It is working to strengthen cybersecurity systems to protect users from fraud and cyberattacks. This is important because trust in digital systems depends on how safe people feel when using them. In addition, the Central Bank and other institutions are promoting digital financial literacy by organizing workshops, campaigns, and educational materials. These efforts help people understand how to use digital banking safely and responsibly. Financial education is especially important for older users or people in rural areas who may be new to these technologies. By building a secure and user-friendly digital financial system, Uzbekistan hopes to make banking services more accessible and inclusive, while also supporting the country’s broader economicdevelopment goals (ADB, 2021). Education is an important part of the digital economy. Uzbekistan has launched online education platforms like “Ziyonet” and started digitizing school and university resources. During the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning became necessary, and this accelerated the development of digital tools in education. The government also supports IT training and startups through programs like “One Million Uzbek Coders,” which helps young people learn programming and other digital skills (UNDP Uzbekistan, 2022). However, there are still