Davron Vakhobov: Chambers of Commerce of Uzbekistan and Iraq Focus on Direct Business-to-Business Cooperation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 14 January 2026, the Uzbekistan–Iraq Investment and Business Forum was held in Tashkent, attended by the Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, Laziz Kudratov; the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, Davron Vakhobov; heads of relevant ministries and agencies; representatives of chambers of commerce and industry and sectoral associations; as well as over 300 business representatives from both countries.

The forum marked the second business forum in the history of Uzbek-Iraqi economic cooperation, following the first event held in Baghdad in December 2025. This reflects the systematic development of dialogue between the business communities of the two countries and a shift toward practical trade, economic, and investment engagement.

Davron Vakhobov, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, emphasized the importance of establishing direct contacts between entrepreneurs, noting that chambers of commerce serve as an institutional bridge connecting the business communities of Uzbekistan and Iraq.

During the forum, participants discussed the development of B2B contacts, the exchange of business missions, promotion of joint projects, and the removal of practical barriers for companies entering new markets. Representatives of the Iraqi side, including Iraq’s Minister of Trade Athir Dawood al-Ghurairi, the leadership of the National Investment Commission, and the Economic Council of Iraq, expressed interest in intensifying direct cooperation with Uzbek businesses.

As a result of the forum, memorandums of understanding were signed between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and relevant Iraqi organizations, and B2B meetings were held to discuss specific areas of collaboration.

The Uzbekistan–Iraq Business Forum once again confirmed the strong interest of the business communities in establishing direct contacts and developing joint projects.