The Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, Laziz Kudratov, and the Serbian Minister responsible for international economic cooperation, Nenad Popovic, held online negotiations on August 13, 2026, to discuss expanding trade, economic, and investment interaction between the two states.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, the main focus was on strengthening ties in the fields of trade, economy, and investment. The parties also discussed preparations for the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, which is scheduled for the autumn of 2026 in Belgrade.
During the meetings, specific areas for trade and investment were reviewed, and promising areas for joint work were identified. These areas include pharmaceuticals, agriculture, chemical industry, mechanical engineering, the textile industry, and transport infrastructure.
Following the negotiations, Uzbekistan and Serbia agreed to continue joint efforts to increase bilateral trade and promote new investment and trade projects.
Belarus and Uzbekistan intend to intensify joint work in areas such as medicine, tourism, information technology, education, and industrial partnership.
This was stated by Vladimir Kukharev, Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee, during a meeting with Nuriddin Mamajonov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Belarus and Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the CIS bodies, according to the press service of the CIS Executive Committee.
During this meeting, the parties discussed promising directions for developing trade and economic ties, as well as expanding interaction between the two states.
Particular attention was paid to industrial cooperation. In particular, the Belarusian side proposed developing interaction in the field of woodworking and furniture production, noting the high level of development of relevant industries in Belarus and the demand for Belarusian products in the Uzbek market.
Cooperation in the healthcare sector was also separately considered. Belarus is ready to provide support in establishing interaction between Uzbek partners and enterprises specializing in the production of medical equipment and technologies.
The parties also studied opportunities for cooperation in the field of education, noting the interest of Uzbek citizens in studying in Belarus.
Improving transport connectivity remains an important area of interaction. Kukharev emphasized the need to increase the number of flights between the countries, which would promote tourism and create additional opportunities for business contacts.
Furthermore, the parties expressed interest in expanding cooperation in IT and scientific research.
One of the significant events in the development of bilateral business relations was the opening of the Trade House of Uzbekistan in Minsk. According to Kukharev, the activities of this house are of interest to both business representatives and city residents wishing to learn about the goods of Uzbek producers.
Ambassador Mamajonov noted that Belarus and Uzbekistan have broad opportunities for interaction in various fields—from industrial cooperation to culture and tourism.
The diplomat added: "We are fulfilling the tasks set by the leaders of our countries. During the last meeting in Minsk, they clearly defined a new standard of interaction, and we have begun discussing ways to achieve it." He also reported that the parties aim to strengthen cooperation and expect to achieve the first practical results this year.
An additional platform for establishing business contacts will be the International Forum of Economic Cooperation, scheduled for September 11, 2026, in Minsk. It is expected that entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan will participate in the event to hold negotiations with their Belarusian counterparts and determine new directions for cooperation.
At the meeting, special attention was paid to the localization of Belarusian equipment in Uzbekistan. Mamajonov informed that Uzbekistan is interested in establishing Belarusian service centers on its territory, as well as organizing the assembly of municipal and passenger vehicles.
In particular, interest was noted in the products of Belkommunmash and its potential for use in the municipal sector of Tashkent and other regions of Uzbekistan. The localization of bus production as part of the modernization of public transport in major cities of Uzbekistan was also recognized as a promising direction.
The meeting confirmed the mutual interest of Belarus and Uzbekistan in deepening practical interaction, implementing joint projects, and moving to a new stage of trade and economic cooperation.
Uzbekistan and Bashkortostan have reached an agreement on further strengthening trade and economic cooperation. This occurred following the business forum held in Ufa on August 5, 2026.
During the event, participants signed a memorandum of understanding, while business representatives concluded commercial contracts and cooperation agreements. The main theme of the forum was deepening interaction between the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.
More than one hundred Uzbek companies participated in the event, representing sectors such as light industry, food industry, chemical industry, automotive manufacturing and furniture, construction, healthcare, as well as information and communication technologies.
The forum was attended by Odilkhon Rustamov, Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan; Muzaffarxon Musaev, Deputy Chairman of the Small Business Association; Alexander Sheldyayev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Bashkortostan and Minister of Industry, Energy and Innovation; heads of seven ministries of the republic; and Artem Penzin, Director of Alga Special Economic Zone.
It was noted during the meeting that bilateral trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Russia reached almost 13 billion US dollars in 2025. Furthermore, over 3000 enterprises with Russian capital currently operate in Uzbekistan.
After the forum concluded, the parties agreed on several practical steps. In particular, an agreement was reached with BashGlobalGroup LLC to open the Trade House of Uzbekistan in the Eurasia wholesale distribution center, attract Uzbek companies to the International Multifunctional Business Complex project, and implement non-food products through Tolpar Technopark.
Companies from Bashkortostan were also invited to establish production facilities in a free economic zone oriented towards supplying goods to the Afghan market.
As part of the forum, the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and Bashkortostan signed a memorandum of intent aimed at developing bilateral partnership. Following B2B format negotiations, business representatives also signed various commercial agreements and cooperation deals.
Representatives of state bodies and business circles from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan discussed opportunities for partnership in the field of pharmaceuticals, industrial cooperation, and joint investment projects. The event took place as part of the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan Business Forum held in Bishkek.
A panel session dedicated to healthcare and pharmaceuticals was organized within this forum. During the session, a representative of the Agency for the Development of Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry of Uzbekistan presented information on the investment potential of the country's pharmaceutical sector.
Forum participants received information about current investment projects being implemented in Uzbekistan, as well as about state support measures, the investment climate, and opportunities provided by free economic zones. Furthermore, reforms aimed at developing the pharmaceutical industry were presented.
During the discussion, the parties also exchanged views on expanding cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in the field of drug production, technology transfer, and the implementation of joint initiatives.
