Fintech Association of Uzbekistan’s Post-Silk Road Forum Agenda: Cross-Border Alliances, AI and Trust

The Silk Road Finance & Technology Forum marked an important milestone for Uzbekistan’s fintech ecosystem and its position in the wider regional landscape, according to the Fintech Association of Uzbekistan.

Sharing the association’s assessment with FT Finansal Teknoloji, Nargis Dustmatova highlighted the opportunity to bring regulators, financial institutions, fintech companies, investors, international organisations and industry associations together.

The discussions reinforced a central message: the next stage of fintech development will depend increasingly on cooperation, interoperability, trust and common approaches to regulation.

International engagement strengthens the association’s outlook

Reflecting on the forum, Dustmatova highlighted the international participation and the interest in building closer connections with Uzbekistan’s fintech ecosystem.

“We were particularly encouraged by the level of international engagement and the interest in building stronger connections between fintech ecosystems,” she said in the written reflections.

For the association, the gathering created opportunities to deepen relationships with partners from the Turkic States, Europe and Asia, and to explore how companies could expand beyond their domestic markets.

These connections strengthened its commitment to cross-border fintech alliances and practical channels for market access. Knowledge exchange, regulatory dialogue, investment and partnerships between fintech companies are among the areas where the association sees significant potential, particularly between Uzbekistan and neighbouring markets.

Four priorities for the next stage

“Following the Forum, our focus will be on turning these conversations into practical initiatives,” Dustmatova said.

The association’s plans concentrate on four areas.

Consumer awareness and financial inclusion

The association will pursue consumer education initiatives focused on financial inclusion, digital awareness and the risks associated with digital financial services.

This work forms part of its broader commitment to ensuring that the development of fintech is accompanied by consumer protection and responsible business practices.

Stronger cooperation through the Antifraud Alliance and security measures

Through its Antifraud Alliance, the association plans to strengthen dialogue on fraud prevention and work closely with international experts in fraud and security.

The priority is to support responsible innovation through cooperation and the exchange of expertise on fraud prevention and security.

Cross-border partnerships and market access

Building international alliances and creating more opportunities for Uzbek fintech companies to connect with global markets will remain a central focus.

The association intends to continue working with regulators, international partners and fintech associations to facilitate market access and develop cooperation between ecosystems.

Its engagement with established international partners from the Turkic States Fintech alliance ,Asia Fintech Alliance ( with 15 member countries) ,  Europe and the US provides a foundation for exploring these opportunities.

Practical AI initiatives and an AI alliance

The association also plans to develop practical AI bootcamps and related  practical initiatives, and to establish an AI alliance with technology vendors and companies.

These plans place practical collaboration with industry participants within the association’s wider fintech development agenda.

Responsible fintech connects innovation with trust

The association’s post-forum assessment also highlights the growing importance of responsible fintech.

As digital financial services, buy now, pay later, AI and embedded finance develop, the association believes the industry must strengthen consumer protection, cybersecurity, fraud prevention and responsible business practices alongside innovation.

“We believe industry associations have an important role to play in helping create this balance between innovation and trust,” Dustmatova said.

This perspective links its work on consumer education and fraud prevention with its plans for AI collaboration and international partnerships.

A regional agenda that continues beyond the forum

For the Fintech Association of Uzbekistan, the task ahead is to sustain the dialogue established in Tashkent and turn relationships and ideas into practical initiatives.

Cooperation with the Turkic States forms an important part of that agenda, alongside partnerships across Europe and Asia. The association sees opportunities to connect markets through knowledge exchange, regulatory dialogue, investment and collaboration between fintech companies, while maintaining trust and consumer protection.

Dustmatova summed up the association’s message to the fintech community:

“The future of fintech in our region will not be built in isolation. It will be built through partnerships, shared standards and the ability to connect our markets while preserving trust and consumer protection.”