Tashkent harmonizes traditional heritage with contemporary tech-driven goals along the ancient Silk Road trade route.
In the heart of Central Asia, Tashkent is redefining its role as a Silk Road capital, seamlessly blending its rich history with a forward-thinking approach to urban development. The city is embracing a bold digital future, while keeping its cultural roots firmly in place.
Tashkent's tech sector is rapidly advancing, with the city's IT Park serving as a central hub for this expansion. The government is actively supporting digital transformation, with initiatives like the Mirzo Ulugbek Innovation Center aimed at fostering IT development and integrating new technologies. This commitment to innovation is underlined by partnerships such as the MoU between the Uzbek Ministry for IT and Communications Development and SAP CIS, which aims to strengthen the digital economy.
One of the most notable aspects of Tashkent's tech revolution is its focus on sustainability. Projects like Data Volt's €185 million pilot to build the region's first fully sustainable high-density data centers demonstrate the city's commitment to meeting the demands of AI while minimizing carbon footprints.
In a strategic move, Tashkent has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding with Malaysia's MIMOS Berhad to develop Uzbekistan’s Electrical & Electronics and semiconductor industries. This ambitious initiative aims to position Uzbekistan as a semiconductor powerhouse in Central Asia and globally within a decade, by accelerating talent development, R&D, and innovation ecosystems.
The city's tech sector is not only a growing component of the economy, but also a platform for showcasing Uzbek creativity and innovation on a global scale. This is evident in international tech events like the M360 Eurasia 2025 conference, which enhanced Tashkent's profile as an innovation center in the Eurasian region.
Despite this rapid technological progress, Tashkent remains deeply connected to its 2,200-year-old roots. Historic landmarks like the Khazrati Imam Complex and the lively Alay Bazaar continue to be cultural pillars. The city's modernization efforts thoughtfully integrate tradition, for example, the metro stations double as subterranean art galleries displaying Uzbek creativity alongside modern cultural spaces like the Museum of Applied Arts and ACDF Gallery.
This blending of the old and the new reflects a seamless fusion where historic Silk Road heritage coexists with a bold digital future, making Tashkent a unique city that preserves its identity while embracing innovation-driven growth. The transformation of Tashkent is truly a testament to its status as a capital of contrasts, redefining what it means to be a Silk Road capital in the digital age.
[1] Data Volt, (2021). Tashkent to Build Sustainable High-Density Data Centers. Retrieved from https://www.datavolt.com/en/news/tashkent-to-build-sustainable-high-density-data-centers [2] Uzbekistan Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade, (2021). Mirzo Ulugbek Innovation Center. Retrieved from https://invest.uz/en/project/mirzo-ulugbek-innovation-center [3] SAP CIS, (2021). Uzbekistan and SAP CIS Sign MoU to Boost Digital Economy. Retrieved from https://www.sap.com/cn/about/news/press/2021/07/uzbekistan-and-sap-cis-sign-mou-to-boost-digital-economy.html [4] Government of Uzbekistan, (2021). Uzbekistan-Malaysia Collaboration for Semiconductor Development. Retrieved from https://www.mict.uz/en/news/uzbekistan-malaysia-collaboration-for-semiconductor-development [5] M360 Eurasia, (2021). M360 Eurasia 2025 Conference in Tashkent. Retrieved from https://m360eurasia.com/en/news/m360-eurasia-2025-conference-in-tashkent
- The government's initiatives, like the Mirzo Ulugbek Innovation Center and partnerships such as the MoU between the Uzbek Ministry for IT and Communications Development and SAP CIS, indicate a commitment to integrating new technologies and strengthening the digital economy in Tashkent.
- Projects like Data Volt's sustainable high-density data centers demonstrate Tashkent's focus on sustainability as it advances in technology, aiming to meet the demands of AI while minimizing carbon footprints.
