The Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, reported that approximately 76 farmers have been commercialized over the last three financial years. His answers were given in parliament in response to written queries from Laetitia Heloise Arries of the Economic Freedom Fighters party regarding the number of beneficiaries of the Land Bank's blended finance scheme who successfully transitioned to commercial agriculture.
The minister was also asked about the measures in place to monitor and evaluate the success and sustainability of projects financed under this scheme. The Minister clarified that over 70 farmers, initially engaged in small-scale production, have managed to transition to running commercially viable agricultural enterprises.
He noted that as of April 1, 2026, eight farmers have moved to commercial operations: two from the Free State, four from the Eastern Cape, and two from Mpumalanga. Godongwana provided further details on the support for various groups of beneficiaries of the blended finance scheme.
Young farmers have successfully transformed from small producers into commercial agricultural enterprises. In the past financial year, Land Bank increased its capacity (BFS) for this segment, providing R32 million in financing to support their commercialization and further growth. A successful transition example was shown by a young female farmer from Limpopo, who holds a bachelor's degree in crop production technology; she moved from small-scale tomato production to a structured commercial enterprise by securing off-take agreements with Rhodes Food Group and an aggregator supplying products to Boxer, which ensured stable demand and predictable prices.
Farmers working on leased land have been able to transition to owning private farmlands. The support provided included financing for the acquisition of private farms, including a second purchase, installation of solar energy systems, procurement of additional livestock, tractors, and production resources for cultivating approximately 1,500 hectares. Farmers operating on leased farms in Lichtenburg and Ventersdorp received assistance in acquiring and owning agricultural property, facilitating their shift from tenant farming to land ownership.
Cases of scaling up were highlighted: one farmer, who started on 50 hectares, expanded production to 1,000 hectares of soybeans and now supplies Tiger Brands and Afgri. Another farmer from the Free State achieved significant growth, moving from subsistence farming to a commercial enterprise spanning over 7,500 hectares. Furthermore, a small farmer managed to transition to a globally competitive commercial enterprise thanks to support from the Potatoes South Africa Development Programme and Land Bank. This farmer secured off-take agreements with Simba (PepsiCo) for potato production and with Peppadew International for export markets, while also gaining access to domestic and regional markets, including Mozambique, diversifying income.
Godongwana emphasized that the bank's comprehensive approach to agricultural support combines innovative financial solutions with risk management measures to improve farmers' access to finance and enhance the resilience of agricultural businesses. He stated that such an integrated approach promotes the growth and development of farmers across the entire value chain, from emerging producers to established commercial enterprises, thereby boosting agricultural productivity, transformation, and food security in South Africa.
Land Bank has implemented integrated pre- and post-investment support initiatives, including facilitating market access, to mitigate the risk of business failure among new participants, emerging farmers, and small Black producers. These measures aim to strengthen the sustainability and commercial viability of farms. The Minister also mentioned the bank's plans to create a conducive environment for sustainable agricultural growth and rural development through enhancing financial literacy, implementing innovations, and mentorship. Key training programs include business management training (financial planning, bookkeeping, marketing) and financial management (budgeting, investment planning).
The Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, Akram Aliyev, met with the Deputy Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Uzbekistan, Marion Edel, on July 17, 2026, to discuss deepening bilateral economic partnership.
During the meeting, the parties reviewed the current state and future prospects of interaction in the fields of trade, investment, and technology.
It was noted that bilateral trade turnover increased by 13.2% in 2025, reaching a volume of 1.4 billion US dollars. The volume of German investments implemented in Uzbekistan amounted to 6.4 billion US dollars.
Participants also discussed preparations for the next round of intergovernmental negotiations between Uzbekistan and Germany on cooperation for development. At the end of the meeting, both sides confirmed their readiness to continue practical work aimed at further strengthening bilateral cooperation in agreed areas.
Air cargo transportation is becoming an increasingly significant part of modern transport infrastructure due to the expansion of foreign trade and increased international logistics connections. Uzbekistan is actively developing this sector, strengthening Tashkent's position as one of Central Asia's key logistics hubs.
On July 17, 2026, journalists visited the cargo terminal of Tashkent International Airport as part of a press tour to familiarize themselves with air cargo handling processes. They were shown warehouse facilities, specialized storage areas, cargo processing and customs clearance sections, the administrative building, and the electronic queue management system.
The terminal expansion was driven by the steady growth in air transport volumes. Previously, the airport infrastructure was designed to handle about 30,000 tons of cargo and mail annually. However, by 2024, the actual throughput reached nearly 80,000 tons, significantly exceeding the initial design capacity.
In response to growing demand, a new cargo terminal was commissioned in March 2025, designed to handle up to 120,000 tons of cargo and mail per year. The new facility continues to show positive results: over 88,000 tons of cargo and mail were processed in 2025, and 92,000 tons is projected for 2026.
Thus, the development of cargo infrastructure not only meets the increase in freight volumes but also creates additional capacity for the further development of air logistics.
The most significant growth was recorded in 2026. In the first half of the year alone, over 48,000 tons of cargo and mail passed through the Tashkent Airport cargo terminal, which is 33.2% more than in the same period last year.
The structure of the cargo flow reflects the diversity of Uzbekistan's international trade. Since the beginning of the year, over 1,100 tons of agricultural products have been exported by air. On the import side, the terminal received over 15,000 tons of general cargo, about 4,700 tons of perishable goods, and nearly 1,200 tons of live animals.
This data indicates that the terminal handles a wide range of goods—from agricultural products and perishable items to specialized consignments requiring specific storage and transportation conditions. For an export-oriented economy, air logistics plays a critically important role by significantly reducing delivery times, especially for goods with limited shelf life and high added value.
Modern logistics is assessed not only by cargo volumes but also by the speed of processing. Currently, the cargo terminal is capable of accepting up to 500 tons of freight daily. The average time from aircraft arrival to cargo handover to the recipient is three to four hours, which is particularly important for pharmaceuticals, perishable products, live animals, and other goods requiring rapid handling.
During the press tour, journalists observed the procedures for receiving, sorting, storing, processing, and releasing cargo. A key feature of the facility is the electronic queue management system, which helps organize the interaction of logistics participants and improve operational efficiency.
Growing freight volumes require continuous infrastructure development. Work is currently underway to construct two additional covered warehouses with a total area of over 6,000 square meters. These new facilities will increase the terminal's carrying capacity, improve the handling of import and export consignments, and provide reserve capacity for future growth in air transport.
The expansion is significant not only for the airport but also for Uzbekistan's broader transport and logistics network. Higher throughput supports external trade operations, expands export opportunities for businesses, and strengthens the country's international ties.
The increase in cargo flow through Tashkent International Airport occurs against the backdrop of the ongoing development of Uzbekistan's transport infrastructure and the expansion of international trade links. The country's geographical location makes it a natural junction point for markets in Central Asia, China, South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Within this network, Tashkent International Airport functions as an important hub for both passenger and cargo aviation. Its modern cargo terminal, fast processing times, and expanding warehouse infrastructure create conditions for the further growth of air logistics. The development of air cargo transportation has become an indicator of the country's economic activity. The growth in cargo volumes, the expansion of the range of processed goods, and continuous investment in infrastructure reflect the formation of a more modern and flexible logistics system. For Uzbekistan, which seeks to increase exports and diversify foreign trade, efficient air logistics is becoming an important competitive advantage. Thus, the cargo terminal of Tashkent International Airport is transforming from a simple transport facility into an integral element of the country's long-term strategy to strengthen its position in regional and international freight transport.
On July 18, 2026, an economic forum was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Iraqi Kurdistan. The event aimed to discuss expanding trade and economic interaction, strengthening direct business ties, and implementing joint investment and industrial projects.
The forum gathered heads of trade and industry chambers from Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, Halabja, and Kirkuk, representing the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Iraqi Kurdistan. Representatives from industry associations and over 400 businessmen from Uzbekistan and Iraq also participated. Opening speeches were delivered by Davron Vakhabov, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan; Gailan Said Aziz, Chairman of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Iraqi Kurdistan; and Ayubkhon Yunusov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Kuwait.
Participants noted that trade and economic ties between Uzbekistan and Iraq have developed in recent years, but the existing potential for bilateral cooperation has not been fully utilized. The main focus of the forum was on increasing direct business, growing trade turnover, attracting investments, and developing industrial partnerships. The presence of representatives from Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, Halabja, and Kirkuk, named as key economic centers of Iraqi Kurdistan, highlighted significant opportunities to strengthen both interstate and interregional ties.
Perspectives on expanding economic relations, enhancing investment cooperation, launching joint production projects, and establishing direct business-to-business (B2B) contacts were discussed. The B2B format allows enterprises to exchange information about available opportunities and conduct direct negotiations on specific areas of cooperation.
One of the most important outcomes of the forum was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Iraqi Kurdistan. Memoranda of understanding were signed between regional chambers of Uzbekistan and Iraqi Kurdistan to promote regional economic interaction:
According to the organizers, the signed documents create a foundation for forming long-term business contacts, uniting the economic potential of the regions, and facilitating joint projects.
It is expected that the agreements reached will help transform general intentions into concrete investment and industrial initiatives. Priority areas identified include expanding trade, implementing investment projects, creating joint production facilities, and building long-term partnerships between businesses from both sides. The forum emphasized the growing importance of direct regional contacts as a tool for international economic cooperation. Partnerships between the regions of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Sirdarya and the leading economic centers of Iraqi Kurdistan open up additional opportunities for mutually beneficial projects.
The forum in Tashkent demonstrated the growing role of business diplomacy in developing economic relations between Uzbekistan and Iraqi Kurdistan. The main result was the formation of a practical basis for further interaction, covering both direct dialogue between entrepreneurs and the implementation of joint industrial and investment projects. These agreements should contribute to increasing trade, launching new joint initiatives, and developing long-term partnerships between the business communities of Uzbekistan and Iraqi Kurdistan.
