BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 5
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
Uzbekisatn plans to double the share of digital services in GDP (gross domestic product), Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov said during the Almaty Digital Forum 2021, Trend reports citing pordrobno.uz.
According to the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, $2.5 billion will be attracted for the development of digital infrastructure in Uzbekistan in the next two years.
In particular, it is planned to launch three new data centers in Tashkent, Bukhara, and Kokand regions, expand the fixed telecommunications network and modernize mobile communications, as well as expand the functions of electronic government and improving the quality of IT education.
“One of the results of these measures will be the ability to connect households to the Internet in each locality at a speed of at least 10 Mbit,” Aripov said.
He also noted that today in Uzbekistan the number of users of electronic payment systems has exceeded 14 million people or 70 percent of the country's population of working age.
“In the near future, one of the priority tasks will be to double the share of digital services in GDP. To achieve this goal, IT-parks are being opened in the country, their residents are provided with a number of tax benefits and preferences,” Aripov added.
He also added that another priority for the government of Uzbekistan is to provide fast and affordable internet in localities.
“Today, all kindergartens and medical institutions, as well as more than 8,000 schools (80 percent of the total number), have access to high-speed Internet. This year we intend to complete the connection of the remaining schools, as well as provide Internet to all makhalla (quarters) citizens' gatherings, and there are about 10,000 of them throughout the country,” the prime minister emphasized.
In addition, he noted that another important area is the digitalization of agriculture. According to the message, Uzbekistan intends to attract about $600 million in agriculture digitalization.
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