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Panel sessions highlight fintech growth, luxury branding, and youth-driven innovation shaping Uzbekistan’s investment future.

Tashkent, 11 June 2025 – At the Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF) 2025, a series of thought-provoking panel sessions showcased how Uzbekistan’s private sector, policy reforms, and youthful population are transforming the nation’s digital, retail, and economic landscapes. Held across different venues at the forum, the discussions brought together global leaders, innovators, and investors to explore how Uzbekistan is emerging as a dynamic investment destination.

In Room Kokand, the panel Story of Uzum: Advancing E-banking into Uzbekistan’s Retail Market featured Djasur Djumaev, Founder and CEO of Uzum, in conversation with moderator Jonathan Charles, Communications Consultant to the Office of the Adviser to the President. Djasur shared insights into how Uzum – now a leading digital ecosystem in Uzbekistan – is harnessing local cultural understanding and international expertise to build transformative e-banking and fintech solutions.

“We are a technology company at heart,” said Djasur. “What sets us apart is being deeply rooted in the local context while attracting top global talent.” He credited government reform efforts for creating an enabling environment: “When entrepreneurs feel protected, they take bold steps. Uzbekistan’s regulatory stability and high literacy levels are now drawing global investor attention.”

The conversation underscored the importance of execution and capacity-building in transitioning economies, with Djasur noting that, “Intention is meeting execution,” and that the country is entering a “long-term renaissance” in innovation and finance.

Over in Room Samarkand, the panel Global Brands as Catalysts: Enhancing National Investment Appeal through Luxury and Innovation was led by Bertrand Stalla-Bourdillon, Group VP of Retail Development at LVMH. Bertrand explained how the presence of iconic heritage brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Moët Hennessy can elevate national image, stimulate creative industries, and encourage premium tourism.

“Where a brand chooses to grow, the world pays attention,” said Bertrand, highlighting how luxury branding plays a role not only in commerce but also in signalling regulatory maturity and consumer trust. For Uzbekistan, which is seeking to position itself as a high-value investment destination, such partnerships offer long-term dividends in image, innovation, and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the panel IT Sector and AI: Empowering Youth to Drive Innovation brought energy and urgency to the conversation. With more than 60% of Uzbekistan’s population under 30, panellists including Kevin Khanda (Uzum), Sergey Chekalkin (TBC Bank), and Anil Vijayachandran (DataVolt) agreed that the country’s future hinges on digital education, data ecosystems, and youth engagement.

“We are heavily investing into education,” Kevin affirmed, while Sergey noted that “TBC is committed to supporting Uzbekistan’s next generation of innovators.” Anil added, “We’re excited by the potential – the initiative and talent here are world-class.”

These panels made one message clear: Uzbekistan is not only welcoming investment but actively shaping a modern, inclusive, and innovation-driven economy. With growing international partnerships, a strong reform narrative, and a young, educated workforce, the country is positioning itself as a strategic bridge between East and West, tradition and technology.

Source: IN Diplomacy Reporters