Samarkand (TDI): Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing regional cooperation, with a focus on trade, industry, and infrastructure.
This was the key outcome of the 4th Interregional Forum, “Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan,” held in Samarkand.
The forum, which brought together high-level officials from both nations, discussed expanding bilateral trade, boosting industrial collaboration, and improving cooperation in water, energy, transit, and transport sectors.
Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov underscored the growing ties between the two countries, highlighting a significant 2.5-fold increase in trade turnover over the last seven years, reaching $4.4 billion in 2023.
“More than 1,000 Kazakh-invested enterprises are now operating in Uzbekistan, with regions like Karakalpakstan, Tashkent, and Navoi fostering strong ties with their Kazakh counterparts,” said Aripov.
He emphasized that while much progress has been made, there remains vast untapped potential for further collaboration.
Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced that his country is ready to increase exports to Uzbekistan by over $550 million, offering 40 types of high-value-added products.
With bilateral trade amounting to $2.5 billion in the first eight months of 2024, Uzbekistan remains Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner in Central Asia.
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Over half of Uzbekistan’s trade passes through Kazakhstan, underscoring the importance of this partnership.
The forum also focused on industrial cooperation, with 74 joint projects underway, representing $3.4 billion in investment and the creation of 14,600 jobs.
Major initiatives include Chevrolet Onix production in Kostanay, household appliance manufacturing in Saran, and the establishment of textile factories in Shymkent and Turkestan.
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Both countries are also collaborating on the creation of the International Center for Industrial Cooperation “Central Asia,” a “one-stop shop” for entrepreneurs, offering streamlined services and favorable tax and customs procedures aimed at further enhancing bilateral economic ties.
