The Uzbekistan (Surkhandarya)-China International Investment Forum, held in the Surkhandarya region on August 15-16, presented 95 potential projects worth a total of $10 billion USD to investors. During the event, preliminary agreements were reached on 63 projects exceeding $6.25 billion USD.
The forum gathered representatives from state bodies of Uzbekistan and China, major Chinese companies, international and industry organizations, local authorities, and business communities. More than 350 delegates participated, representing over 120 Chinese companies and organizations.
Participants included representatives from structures such as the China Center for International Cultural Exchanges, JDB Group, China Railway Construction, Xinlong Construction Engineering Group, Jiangsu World Agricultural, and Anhui Wende Holding Group. A delegation from Afghanistan, led by Minister of Industry and Trade Nuruddin Azizi, was also present at the forum, comprising over 100 representatives from 46 Afghan companies.
The investment portfolio of the Surkhandarya region covers many key sectors. Agriculture accounts for 25 projects, mining and geology for 24 projects, services for 13, chemical industry for six, construction materials for three, and textile industry for two projects. Additionally, 22 projects belong to other industrial sectors.
Within the framework of the forum, representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Mining and Geology, the Tourism Committee, the Uzpromstroy materials association, and the Termez International Trade Center demonstrated cooperation opportunities and proposals to investors in relevant sectors. Special attention was paid to G2B and B2B negotiations between businesses from China and Afghanistan, city and district leaders of Surkhandarya, and local entrepreneurs.
Preliminary investment agreements were concluded for 63 projects totaling $6.2535 billion USD. The largest share was in construction materials with 11 projects valued at $1.225 billion; textile and garment production accounted for eight projects worth $1.1815 billion; and mineral extraction involved 10 projects valued at $1.027 billion. An additional 13 preliminary agreements worth $1.015 billion covered the service sector, including tourism, education, construction, and trade.
Agreements also concerned agricultural production, oil and gas and chemical industries, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, animal husbandry, medicinal plant cultivation, and aquaculture.
On August 15, an exhibition titled 'Made in Uzbekistan' took place in the Ayritom Free Trade Zone. It showcased the capabilities of local enterprises in agriculture and food processing, chemical and light industry, construction materials, mining, jewelry manufacturing, and other sectors. Participants were also provided with information on the investment potential of the Surkhandarya region, including its natural resources, industrial and agricultural potential, logistics capabilities, tourism sector, and projects involving foreign partners.
On August 16, representatives of Chinese companies visited major production facilities in the region's districts. During these visits, investors familiarized themselves with existing production capacities, infrastructure, promising sites, and investment projects.
Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjayev stated that the next step must be the practical implementation of the reached agreements. He emphasized the importance of moving from investment dialogue to the realization of concrete projects, the creation of new production capacities, and jobs.
The forum served as a platform for further expanding investment, trade, and economic cooperation between the Surkhandarya region, China, and Afghanistan, as well as for presenting specific projects and production capabilities of the region to foreign companies.
Uztextileprom held negotiations with a delegation from Yifa Commercial Group and the Association for Enterprise Development as part of the 'Belt and Road' initiative in Wuhan. The main topic of discussion was expanding investment cooperation, implementing joint projects, and developing trade in finished textile products. This was reported by the Uztextileprom Association.
Chinese partners expressed interest in launching investment projects in Uzbekistan, establishing a trade and distribution center, and supplying finished textile products to the Uzbek market.
For its part, the Uzbek side proposed considering joint ventures for the production of artificial and synthetic fibers. The delegations also exchanged data regarding investment conditions in Uzbekistan and prospects for exporting goods to the markets of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The Association noted that Yifa Commercial Group unites about 7,000–8,000 companies and brands and manages nine trade and production complexes covering an area of approximately 700,000 square meters in Hangzhou.
Following the meeting, Uzbek textile companies invited participation in the XVI Yifa World Conference on Sewing Industry Experience Exchange, which will take place in Hangzhou on August 28–29, 2026. Bilateral B2B negotiations between Uzbek and Chinese companies are planned within this event.
