By 2030, Uzbekistan plans to become one of the top 50 innovative economies of the world - this task is defined by recently adopted Uzbekistan’s Strategy of Innovative Development, developed jointly with UNDP. The main objectives of this strategy and ways of developing an innovative economy in Uzbekistan were discussed at the scientific-practical conference “Innovative development of the economy of Uzbekistan: foreign experience, trends and prospects” in Tashkent.

“The higher the level of innovation, the higher the GDP indicators”

The baseline for the analysis of the country’s innovation potential of the country was the Global Innovation Development Index. The Global Innovation Index is a global study and accompanying ranking of countries in terms of the level of innovation development. The index includes 81 indicators describing innovative development of the countries.

Azimjon Nazarov, Deputy Minister for Innovative Development, noted that by studying Uzbekistan’s position in this ranking, the Ministry identified the rooms for improvement – improving the education system and development of human capital; the development of science, inventiveness and technology transfer; improving the system of financing innovations; development of competition and reduction of administrative barriers; development of infrastructure and IT.

Findings of this analysis helped to set main directions of the Strategy for Innovative Development presented during the event. The speaker highlighted that the mission of the Strategy is ambitious, and aims to develop human capital, which determines the level of a country’s competitiveness on the world stage and its innovative progress.

Development of innovative products needs to grow the consumer of innovative solution

sIlkhom Abdullaev, Chairman of the Committee on Innovative Development, Information Policy and Information Technologies of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis, drew attention to the need to stimulate the consumption of innovative solutions and suggested including incentive forms in the draft law, as well as considering the issue of R&D tax exemption.

Experience in the development of innovative economies of the world

Durbek Akhmedov, Director of the Research Center ‘Scientific basis and problems of development of the economy of Uzbekistan’, based on the study of various models of innovative potential development, presented the basic principles of elaboration and implementation of innovations that are applicable to Uzbekistan.

In turn, the Ambassador of Israel to Uzbekistan Edward Shapira shared Israel experience in stimulating and developing innovation in the country.

Blockchain is an important element in digital economy development

Shahruz Ashirov, Deputy director of the Mirzo-Ulugbek Innovation Center, familiarized the participants with the advantages of introducing the blockchain technology, successful experience of other countries, and the plans of Uzbekistan in this area.

UNDP supports the innovation development in Uzbekistan

Creation of sustainable infrastructure, development of industry and acceleration of innovation is  envisaged in SDG Goal #9 one of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN member states. The introduction of innovations affect the people wellbeing, and for UNDP it is important to develop innovative potential. Through special projects, UNDP supports implementation of innovative ideas among young people, introduction of blockchain technologies, and provides expert support in the development of legislation and regulatory mechanisms that encourage the active introduction of innovations in Uzbekistan.

The participants of conference adopted recommendations on further development of Uzbekistan’s innovative potential. The conference was organized by UNDP jointly with the Senate of Oliy Majlis, the research center ‘Scientific basis and problems of development of the economy of Uzbekistan’ and the Tashkent State Economic University.