Uzbekistan and Serbia establish working group for free trade negotiations

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić participated in a joint business forum. The event gathered over 200 representatives from official and business circles of both countries, as well as leaders of major industrial and trade companies.

At the forum, Serbian companies such as Galenika, Abela Pharm, Goša FOM, Yumco, Luss Textile, and other enterprises were represented.

Speaking at the forum, Mirziyoyev noted that recent high-level meetings have opened a new phase in relations between the two states. He emphasized that establishing a strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Serbia has become a key result.

A significant increase in bilateral trade was identified as one of the priorities. To achieve this goal, the parties intend to expand the range of goods they exchange and simplify customs procedures. Furthermore, a joint Action Plan for the period 2026–2028 was approved in the field of industrial cooperation.

The President of Uzbekistan outlined several areas that should form the basis for further development of economic ties. These include the creation of joint production of textiles and electrical equipment, as well as automotive and industrial components.

Special attention will be paid to the localization of pharmaceutical production and the deep processing of fruit and vegetable products. Both countries also plan to develop joint projects in the fields of software and artificial intelligence.

Mirziyoyev assured that Uzbekistan is ready to create favorable conditions for Serbian companies and investors, and to provide practical support for the implementation of every joint project.

After the conclusion of the business forum, both sides signed a number of bilateral economic agreements and trade contracts.

The Presidents of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, signed a set of documents in Belgrade on September 8th, cementing the status of a strategic partnership between the two states.

During the meeting of the heads of state, an exchange of bilateral documents took place, covering numerous areas of cooperation. The parties reached agreements on collaboration in fields such as labor migration, international road and rail transport, customs affairs, as well as agriculture and water management, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.

Additional agreements concern the development of renewable energy and 'green' technologies, digitalization and e-government, information and communication technologies, environmental protection, and economic diplomacy. Furthermore, papers dedicated to tourism, culture, and cinematography were signed.

Uzbekistan and Serbia also agreed to establish a working group to begin discussions on a free trade agreement and decided to jointly contribute to the development of the Middle Corridor. A separate agreement was signed on establishing partnership ties between the Samarkand region of Uzbekistan and the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina in Serbia, as well as on developing interregional contacts.

As part of the ceremony, an Action Plan for the development of industrial partnership for the period from 2026 to 2028 was approved, which envisions the implementation of joint initiatives in industry and other promising sectors of the economy.

Earlier, Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the highest state award of Serbia—the Order of the Republic of Serbia, 1st Degree. This award was presented to him for his significant contribution to strengthening friendly relations and peaceful cooperation between Uzbekistan and Serbia.

Uzbekistan is studying the potential of participating in the project to build a new oil refinery located in Azerbaijan. According to the proposals, some of the fuel produced at this plant could be directed to meet the needs of the Uzbek market.

Energy Minister Sherzod Khodjayev announced this initiative. He specified that the parties are also negotiating the possibility of joint production of petroleum products at facilities in both countries.

According to the minister, such cooperation will help supply Uzbekistan's domestic market with necessary fuel more stably. In addition, the countries are actively promoting the project for hydrocarbon development in the Ustyurt Plateau and are working with Kazakhstan to export 'green' electricity produced in Uzbekistan to Europe.

Earlier, an agreement was announced between Uzbekneftegaz and the Azerbaijani company SOCAR regarding the study of the possibility of creating a modern network of gas stations in Uzbekistan.