Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 26–27 February, a delegation from Uzbekistan, led by Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade Shokhrukh Gulamov, visited the UAE to participate in the business forum of Arab states, Central Asian countries, and Azerbaijan, as well as the Investopia International Forum. Both events, held in Abu Dhabi, were organized with the support of the League of Arab States.

The forum gathered ministers of investments and trade from several countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Central Asia, and Azerbaijan. Discussions focused on cooperation in the agribusiness sector, halal production, green economy, oil and gas industry, infrastructure development, and the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies.

In his speech at the forum, Shokhrukh Gulamov emphasized the importance of the platform as a tool for strengthening partnerships, identifying new opportunities, and ensuring sustainable economic growth among the participating countries.

During his presentation, he highlighted the results of reforms in Uzbekistan aimed at improving the investment climate and business conditions. Specifically, the country has ensured economic openness, removed barriers, reduced taxes and duties, legislatively guaranteed the protection of investors’ rights, implemented a privatization program, and created free economic zones with developed infrastructure.

Thanks to these transformations, the country’s economy has nearly doubled in recent years, with a growth rate exceeding 6% in 2024. Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover with Central Asian countries reached $7 billion, while trade with GCC states amounted to $1 billion. Currently, Uzbekistan’s investment portfolio with partners from the Gulf and Central Asia stands at $70 billion.

Shokhrukh Gulamov confirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to further expanding cooperation in the region, emphasizing the significant potential for collaboration in agriculture, textiles, mining, energy, healthcare, and tourism. To conclude his speech, he invited participants to attend the second meeting of Central Asian countries and the GCC, which will be held in May in Samarkand.

During the visit, the Uzbek delegation also held a series of negotiations with the leadership of major UAE companies. As a result, joint measures were agreed upon to accelerate the implementation of current projects, and new directions were identified to expand bilateral cooperation.