Topical issues in the field of digitalization were discussed

On December 20, under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a video conference was held on priorities for the development of information technology in industries and regions, and the digitalization of public administration.

Based on the requirements of the time, great attention is paid in our country to improving the telecommunications infrastructure, digitalization of spheres and industries. This year alone, 100 software projects have been developed as part of the digital transformation of such areas as education, banking, finance, customs, agriculture, geology, and cadastre. More than 500 new IT companies have been created, and $475 million of foreign direct investment has entered the sector.

It is expected that by the end of the year, the volume of services in the industry will reach 10 trillion soums, and their exports will exceed 300 million dollars. This indicator grew rapidly in the Tashkent, Samarkand, and Andijan regions. Surkhandarya region has also established for the first time the export of IT services in excess of $ 1 million. More than 20 thousand young people in the regions are independently engaged in programming and sell their products through international online platforms.

The meeting determined the creation of additional conditions for the development of the industry:

- IT companies in the regions will be housed in unused buildings for free for a period of one year;

- talented programmers will be provided with computers and equipment in annual installments;

- companies that have hired more than 50 IT specialists will be compensated for up to 15 percent of salary costs during the year;

- exporting enterprises will be compensated for 50 percent of the costs of attracting foreign specialists and participating in international conferences.

In order to bring the IT park to the international level, its subsidiaries will be opened in Germany and Saudi Arabia.

In general, due to new opportunities, the volume of IT services can be doubled in 2024, it was noted at the meeting.

To do this, first of all, personnel who speak foreign languages and technological skills are needed. In this regard, the Ministry of Digital Technologies has been tasked next year to select 8 thousand of the most talented young people and train them according to a program that meets the standards of prestigious international companies.

Next year, the project "At least two programmers in each mahalla" will be launched, and 20,000 people will be employed as part of the Inclusive Digitalization project jointly with American partners.

In 2026, for the first time in our country, the International Olympiad in Computer Science will be held. To prepare for it, competitions will be held, the best students will be trained with the participation of qualified foreign coaches.

The Head of our state stressed that digitalization should begin with the mahalla.

Currently, employees of the Makhalla system are provided with tablets and computers. But they don't take full advantage of digital solutions. For example, a citizen who has applied to a youth leader for a subsidy must bring an unemployment certificate from the chairman of the mahalla, an assistant to the khokim or from the employment department.

Therefore, the responsible persons were instructed to launch a single platform "Digital Mahalla" and train the "Mahalla Seven" in the use of information systems.

The meeting analyzed the state of digitalization in ministries and industries. It is emphasized that cost reduction in economic sectors can be achieved only and only through digitalization.

Digitalization work is slow in some ministries and departments. For example, the Digital Healthcare project is delayed, which slows down the introduction of health insurance. Due to the lack of an electronic registry of cancer patients, there are delays in the payment of benefits to them.

A digital control system for trade and use of pesticides has not been implemented in agriculture. In the city of Tashkent, the Hulk Nazorati system, which was positively received by the population, needs to be improved.

The need to quickly eliminate these gaps and accelerate digitalization in all areas was emphasized.

"A leader who refuses digitalization is a leader who does not seek to end corruption," the President said.

The issues of improving the infrastructure of the sphere, in particular, increasing the speed of Internet access, were touched upon. It was noted that in some regions the Internet speed is low, 20 percent of international trunk roads are not covered by mobile Internet. The task has been set to attract foreign investment for the development of digital infrastructure.

At the same time, it was pointed out the need to strengthen cybersecurity, develop and implement uniform cybersecurity requirements for all electronic payment systems.

The Head of State instructed to carefully work out plans to achieve next year such indicators as increasing the volume of IT services to 20 trillion soums, exports to 800 million dollars, the introduction of 130 information systems and the full digitalization of 750 public services.

The Head of State exchanged views with ministers, khokims and young programmers on topical issues in the field.