Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 19 July 2023, the city of Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) hosted the first Central Asia-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, which is a significant step towards strengthening ties between the regions.

As part of the historic event, the countries discussed the development of interregional cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, speaking at the summit, paid attention to several important aspects of the relationship, including economic cooperation.

The President especially emphasized cooperation in the field of trade and transport interconnectedness, which are considered as key aspects of interaction. The relevance of studying the possibility of concluding a multilateral trade agreement, which includes the introduction of a free trade regime, the harmonization of technical regulations and the development of electronic commerce, was noted.

In this context, the Leader of Uzbekistan called for the use of favorable tariffs on the Middle Corridor in order to fully use its potential, increase direct air traffic through targeted subsidies and actively use the opportunities of existing multimodal corridors through Afghanistan.

At the same time, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called on the Gulf countries to participate in the strategic project for the construction of the Trans-Afghan railway.

It is worth noting that this project can provide the closest and most convenient route connecting Central Asia and the Gulf region. According to experts, the use of this highway will significantly reduce the time of delivery of goods from Uzbekistan to the ports of the Indian Ocean from a month to 3-5 days, as well as reduce the cost of transporting one container by about 3 times. As a result, barriers to trade between the Central Asian countries and the Arab states will be overcome, which will create favorable conditions for attracting foreign investment and developing the manufacturing sectors of Central Asia.

As an addition, there is a proposal for cooperation in ensuring food security. The head of Uzbekistan expressed his readiness to introduce effective mechanisms for the supply of high-quality organic agricultural products to the Gulf countries.

The implementation of this proposal will provide an opportunity for Uzbek and regional producers to open new markets and significantly expand their business horizons. At the same time, it contributes to a significant diversification of supply sources for the Arab states, which today import up to 85% of food products.

In general, the first Summit emphasized the importance of strengthening economic ties between regions and mutual support in achieving common goals.

The initiatives put forward have become the basis for future cooperation, which reflect the desire to strengthen relations and expand constructive dialogue in the region of Central Asia and the Arab States of the Gulf.

It is important to emphasize that these efforts create a favorable environment for long-term partnership and mutual benefit, confirming the importance of interregional relations in achieving sustainable and harmonious development.

Bakhtiyorov Nurmuhammad

Leading Research Fellow at the International Institute of Central Asia