A delegation from IT Park Uzbekistan held negotiations with the management of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP) during a working trip to Hong Kong. The main focus of the meetings was strengthening partnership in the fields of innovation, startups, artificial intelligence, and attracting international technology companies.
Meeting Details and Park Visit
The meeting took place on July 14, 2026. It was attended by Azamat Karamatov, CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan, and Vincent Ma, Chief Executive Officer of HSITP. During the visit, the delegation also toured the park's visitor center, familiarized itself with the residential infrastructure for specialists, and received a presentation on the opportunities that IT Park Uzbekistan offers to international technology enterprises.
Experience Exchange and Ecosystems
During discussions, the delegation studied the HSITP infrastructure and presented Uzbekistan's digital ecosystem, emphasizing the country's potential as a regional hub for innovation, technology, and international entrepreneurship. Representatives of HSITP provided detailed information about the creation of their world-class innovation ecosystem in the Lok Ma Chau Loop area. This project is being implemented under the concept of 'One Country, Two Systems' and is designed to accommodate over 100,000 specialists in technology and innovation.
Participant Requirements and Programs
The HSITP territory is designated for housing research centers, laboratories, high-tech manufacturing, artificial intelligence development infrastructure, office spaces, and residential complexes. Special attention was paid to the mechanism for selecting park residents. In HSITP, land plots are allocated primarily based on the quality of business proposals and their innovative value. When evaluating applications, 70 percent of the score is assigned to the business plan and technological component of the project, and the remaining 30 percent to the commercial proposal. This approach is aimed at developing projects in sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, life sciences, and microelectronics.
Cooperation Priorities
The parties also discussed the development of the startup ecosystem. HSITP management presented its incubation program, which allows promising technology companies to participate free of charge without giving up a stake in their business. The goal of this program is to commercialize research and development results, scale projects internationally, and form partnerships with leading industry players. Key areas for joint work include integrating Uzbek startups into Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem, expanding interaction with venture capital funds and investors, and creating conditions for Chinese technology companies to enter the Central Asian market through Uzbekistan.
Future Steps and Platforms
Furthermore, participants noted the prospects for joint activities in the fields of artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, microelectronics, advanced manufacturing, and commercialization of scientific discoveries. The role of HSITP as a cross-border innovation platform connecting Hong Kong with Victoria Harbour, one of the world's largest technological clusters with a population of about 86 million, was also considered. The parties noted that this model provides international companies access to the mainland Chinese market while retaining the advantages of the Hong Kong business environment. At the conclusion of the negotiations, an agreement was reached to develop cooperation through startup exchange programs, organization of business missions and joint events, expansion of contacts with investors, holding thematic seminars, and ensuring the participation of HSITP representatives in ICT Week Uzbekistan.
