AiBotTashkent, Uzbekistan – In a significant move towards regional economic integration, over 100 leading companies from Uzbekistan and Ukraine gathered for a joint forum in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. The high-profile event, which was attended by top entrepreneurs, business leaders, and government officials from both nations, marked a major step in strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties.
The forum, which was held under the theme “Uzbekistan and Ukraine: New Horizons for Cooperation,” aimed to explore opportunities for enhancing economic collaboration between the two countries. Participants from both sides engaged in extensive discussions on key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and IT, with a focus on identifying areas for mutually beneficial investment and trade.
Uzbekistan and Ukraine have long maintained strong diplomatic relations, but recent years have seen a significant uptick in trade and investment between the two nations. In 2022, bilateral trade surpassed $1 billion, with Ukraine emerging as one of Uzbekistan’s top foreign trade partners in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region.
The joint forum saw the Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and several top business associations come together to facilitate dialogue and cooperation between companies from both countries. A delegation of Ukrainian companies, led by the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, participated in the event, with many representatives expressing enthusiasm about the vast growth potential of the Uzbek market.
Commenting on the forum’s significance, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Sardor Umrov, emphasized the importance of fostering close economic ties with Ukraine, a key strategic partner in the region. “Uzbekistan is committed to strengthening its economic cooperation with Ukraine and exploring new areas of collaboration to drive growth and prosperity,” he stated.
Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Economy, Ihor Petrashko, praised Uzbekistan’s progressive business environment and expressed Ukraine’s eagerness to deepen its economic engagement with the Central Asian nation. “Our companies are keen to invest in the Uzbek market, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, energy, and infrastructure,” he noted.
The joint forum concluded with the signing of a cooperation memorandum between the Uzbekistan and Ukrainian business communities, marking a formal commitment to work together on key economic initiatives. In the aftermath of the event, both sides have expressed optimism about future cooperation, emphasizing the potential for Uzbekistan and Ukraine to become major economic hubs in the region.
The forum’s success serves as a testament to the growing economic ties between Uzbekistan and Ukraine, underscoring the potential for greater collaboration and investment between the two nations in the years to come.