On 27 May 2025, Tashkent hosted a regional conference on the development of E-Commerce in Central Asia, organized by the World Bank in cooperation with the National Agency for Perspective Projects of Uzbekistan. The event took place under the Elevate Global Access Through E-Commerce (E-GATE) programme, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Since its launch in 2023, E-GATE has been working in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to remove barriers to e-commerce, open new market opportunities, and connect local firms to global trade through B2B platforms.
At the conference, the World Bank showcased impressive results:
- Over USD 23 million in deals facilitated within a year
- 70+ new markets opened for Central Asian firms
- Creation of three national e-commerce associations which signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen trilateral cooperation
These achievements have inspired the launch of a new E-BRIDGE initiative to further accelerate regional digital trade.
The combined e-commerce market in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan is estimated at around USD 3 billion, with significant growth potential if barriers such as high logistics costs, limited delivery options, and low digital literacy are addressed.
The UK is pleased to support initiatives that promote e-commerce and economic opportunity across Central Asia.
