Uzbekistan increases spending on industrial digitalization and AI infrastructure

Uzbekistan is intensifying digitalization of its industry while tightening requirements for state-owned companies, making the adoption of management systems and cost reduction mandatory, as reported by Softline representatives to CNews. The state budget annually allocates 100 billion soums for AI, digitalization, and automation technologies at enterprises. In 2025, $50 million is directed to purchasing 16 supercomputers for AI development, with funding expected to increase to $100 million in 2026. The 'Digital Uzbekistan – 2030' strategy allocates $2.5 billion for IT infrastructure development. The 'Fourth Industrial Revolution Center' aims to attract $200 million in loans and grants from international financial institutions for Industry 4.0 technologies like robotics, IoT, and smart factories. In manufacturing, digitalization is tied to administrative requirements, making digital projects part of managerial responsibility. The chemical industry has an address strategy to at least double production and reach $1 billion in exports by 2030. The light industry targets 147 trillion soums in production volume and $2.2 billion in foreign investment by 2026. Digital solutions are essential for managing production, costs, quality, and capacity utilization. Ilkhom Begmatov, Softline's regional representative in Uzbekistan, says the key issue is linking planning, production, accounting, equipment, and data into a unified manageable scheme. In the oil and gas sector, focus shifts to digital management of exploration and drilling. For 2026, 30 new promising sites are planned for transfer to Uzbekneftegaz for geological exploration using modern technologies and 2D/3D seismic modeling. The centralized digital drilling management system is expected to cut well drilling time by up to 45% and construction cost by up to 35%, though these are projected effects, not yet achieved. This raises the entry bar for suppliers, who must integrate products into production and prove economic impact.