Belarus and Uzbekistan intend to deepen interaction in the field of customs affairs, paying special attention to measures aimed at simplifying bilateral trade and increasing trade turnover. Discussions on these issues took place during a meeting between the Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Belarus, Vladimir Orlovsky, and the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Belarus, Nuriddin Mamajonov. The State Customs Committee of Belarus reported on this meeting.
The main subject of the negotiations was facilitating the growth of trade flows between the two states. The Committee noted that Belarus and Uzbekistan plan to double mutual trade in the coming years, which aligns with the goal set by the presidents of both countries during recent meetings in Minsk.
The parties also considered issues regarding the implementation of the 2024 agreement signed by the governments of Belarus and Uzbekistan concerning the mutual use of electronic systems for certifying the origin of goods. According to the committee, this digital mechanism will help simplify trade procedures and further increase trade turnover.
Furthermore, it was noted that a document on the mutual recognition of the status of an authorized economic operator has been signed. This document provides for a number of simplifications that will be available to participants in foreign economic activities in both countries.
After the meeting, representatives of the State Customs Committee of Belarus and the Embassy of Uzbekistan identified potential areas for practical cooperation aimed at further developing bilateral trade.
A delegation from the Bukhara region, led by Hokim Botir Zaripov, held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Yuriy Shuleiko, according to Dunyo Information Agency.
The parties confirmed their readiness to deepen bilateral interaction in accordance with agreements reached at the high level of the Uzbek-Belarusian summit in Minsk in early July.
During the negotiations, it was noted that Uzbekistan is a reliable and time-tested partner for Belarus. Participants emphasized that bilateral trade shows stable positive dynamics: this year, the goal is to achieve a turnover of 1 billion US dollars, and by 2030, to increase this figure to 2 billion dollars.
The meeting participants stressed that cooperation between the two states is developing in many areas at the government and interdepartmental level. Following the third Regional Forum, interregional contacts have strengthened, and the practical implementation of joint projects in light industry, agriculture, and mechanical engineering remains a priority task.
Following the discussions, the parties outlined further steps to implement the reached agreements and develop mutually beneficial partnership.
A business forum dedicated to industrial cooperation, investment, and trade between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan was held in Bishkek on July 28. Following the event, both sides signed a cooperation plan for the period 2026–2028, as well as several agreements in key economic sectors.
The forum attracted participants such as Erlist Akunbekov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Food Processing of Kyrgyzstan; Ravshanbek Sabirov, Head of the National Investment Agency under the President of Kyrgyzstan; Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan; and Bakyt Sydykov, Minister of Economy and Trade of Kyrgyzstan. Representatives of state institutions, development institutes, and companies from both countries also took part.
The event gathered 115 representatives of Uzbek businesses and 95 Kyrgyz entrepreneurs. The main topics of discussion included expanding trade ties, implementing investment projects, and creating new supply chains.
Over the last decade, trade turnover between the two states has increased by more than seven times, reaching a volume of 1.2 billion US dollars. From January to June 2026, bilateral trade grew by 1.5 times compared to the previous year, amounting to 625 million US dollars. Forum participants noted that maintaining the current trend will allow the countries to achieve the target of 2 billion dollars in annual trade by 2027.
Special attention was paid to investment cooperation and industrial partnerships. Currently, about 450 joint-capital enterprises operate in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, implementing joint projects in automotive manufacturing, textile industry, healthcare, agriculture, and other fields.
The key instrument supporting joint projects remains the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan Development Fund, which currently supports 28 initiatives in the fields of transport and logistics, light industry, construction material production, energy, and financial services.
The sides identified agro-industrial cooperation, the textile industry, pharmaceuticals, and electrical engineering as priority areas. In the agricultural sector, plans include developing seed production, growing potatoes and rice, animal husbandry, and intensive horticulture.
In the textile industry, the countries intend to strengthen interaction in wool and leather processing, as well as finished product manufacturing. Regarding pharmaceuticals, discussions focused on combining production capacities to expand the range of medicines and enter external markets. In electrical engineering, the emphasis was placed on component localization, creating joint ventures, and promoting goods to third-country markets.
Within the business agenda, entrepreneurs held targeted negotiations on projects in agriculture, food processing, textiles, construction materials, furniture manufacturing, electrical engineering, pharmaceuticals, energy, mining, logistics, tourism, finance, and trade. Both nations also agreed to support direct interregional contacts and hold the first joint Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan regional forum in Uzbekistan before the end of 2026.
The event concluded with the signing of the Action Plan for Developing Cooperation between the Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan and the National Investment Agency under the President of Kyrgyzstan for the period 2026–2028. Furthermore, the sides exchanged agreements regarding the promotion of electrical engineering products, seed production, agricultural science, energy, healthcare, hydraulic engineering, and the development of industrial zones.
A meeting took place in Kabul between the Prime Minister of Afghanistan, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Jamshid Khodjayev, who headed the Uzbek delegation. The governor of the Fergana region, Khayrullo Bozorov, also participated in the negotiations.
The parties discussed the further development of trade and economic interaction, as well as the implementation of previously reached agreements in the field of trade and investment. Jamshid Khodjayev emphasized that the goal of the large Uzbek delegation, which included representatives of state bodies, legislators, entrepreneurs, and investors, is to strengthen political and economic ties between the two countries.
According to him, Afghanistan holds a significant place in Uzbekistan's foreign policy. The delegation's visit was organized at the instruction of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev with the aim of beginning the practical implementation of agreements in the sectors of trade and investment and assessing the results of their execution.
Khodjayev reported that last year the volume of Afghanistan's exports to Uzbekistan reached 150 million US dollars. Since the beginning of the current year, this amount has been 111 million US dollars, and further growth is expected by the end of the year. Furthermore, the deputy prime minister noted that Uzbekistan issued 5000 visas to Afghan citizens, which he links to the development of friendly and economic relations.
Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund welcomed the Uzbek delegation, calling its visit an important step for further strengthening bilateral relations. He stated that the arrival of such a representative delegation and the development of economic cooperation demonstrate Uzbekistan's confidence in Afghanistan's future. The Prime Minister of Afghanistan also expressed interest in deepening ties with Uzbekistan and confirmed his readiness to fulfill the reached agreements.
