Digital Transformation Trends Reshaping Central Asian & Caspian Region

At the 12th Annual “Downstream Central Asia & Caspian” Business Summit 2025 in Samarkand, Ivan Tarasov, Associate Director / Digital CFO, KPMG Central Asia and Caucasus, shared insights on how digital transformation trends are reshaping the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries across Central Asia.

Featuring:

• Ivan Tarasov, Associate Director / Digital CFO, KPMG Central Asia and Caucasus

According to Tarasov, several key trends are driving the sector’s evolution:

• Growing investor interest: International investors and lenders are increasingly focused on the reliability and transparency of financial reporting from Central Asian companies. This fuels demand for robust ERP systems and digital infrastructure that can generate accurate data and build investor confidence.
• Learning from global experience: Many companies in Uzbekistan and across the region are part of the “second wave” of digital transformation, meaning they can adopt proven practices from Europe and the U.S. rather than repeat early mistakes, helping them accelerate digitalisation.
• Government-driven digitalisation and privatisation: Regulatory expectations and presidential decrees require companies to implement certain digital systems, while privatisation trends are increasing the need for data-driven, independent decision-making.

Tarasov emphasised that before adopting advanced technologies such as AI, predictive analytics, and digital twins, companies must first establish solid foundations:

You need stable and reliable ERP, MES, and asset management systems. Without this groundwork, the new technologies simply won’t work.

He also highlighted the advantages of learning from other regions: while Western companies had to invest heavily in untested technologies, Central Asian firms can leverage that experience and implement proven, cost-effective solutions.

Another distinctive feature of the region is the strong state role in the economy. While this provides support, it also means enterprises must gradually transition toward greater autonomy in digital decision-making.

Tarasov underscored the importance of business events like the Downstream Central Asia & Caspian Summit:

“Such conferences are extremely useful. They bring together international and local companies, help overcome bureaucratic barriers, and foster open dialogue about opportunities.”

He added that in Central Asian business culture, personal relationships and informal networking play a major role:

“The opportunity to talk over lunch or coffee, to discuss ideas informally — that’s a key part of doing business effectively in this region.”

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Watch the interview: https://youtu.be/6blMlRrXcg8