Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Uzbekistan as a key country in Central Asia and highlighted its role in the region’s development. He said the country was experiencing rapid economic growth, attracting more tourists and drawing interest from American companies seeking to expand their businesses in the Uzbek market. Rubio made the remarks while answering journalists’ questions during his visit to Uzbekistan.
The secretary of state emphasised that Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia. He also noted that its annual GDP growth is approaching 8% and expressed hope that the country would sustain this momentum.
“There are enormous opportunities here. If the country can achieve over the next 10 years what it has accomplished over the past decade, it will be in an exceptionally strong position. Uzbekistan has already achieved a great deal,” Rubio said.
He also highlighted the development of tourism. The number of foreign visitors to Uzbekistan had been a pleasant surprise to him, he said. The possibility of launching a direct flight from Miami to Uzbekistan is also under discussion. Rubio noted that direct air connections between the United States and Uzbekistan already exist on other routes.
Washington, he said, is interested in supporting the continued development of Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries. He stressed that the states in the region had achieved significant progress in a relatively short period since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
“We want to make a positive contribution to this process. That is why we have brought representatives of American businesses with us: they also want to be part of these transformations,” Rubio said.
Concrete agreements are expected to be announced following a business forum involving the US delegation, which includes representatives of 200 companies. Asked about the results of the visit, the secretary of state said the announcements would involve companies intending to operate in Uzbekistan and interested in its domestic market.
Rubio expressed confidence that the new agreements would benefit both countries, but stressed that they should serve only as a foundation for further expanding cooperation.
“I think this will be a very positive outcome for both countries. But this is only a foundation on which we intend to build further cooperation. We want more. This is not the end, but the beginning,” he said.
The secretary of state also acknowledged that Central Asia had not received sufficient attention from American policymakers over the past 20 years. He said Washington’s approach was now changing.
As evidence of this shift, Rubio recalled US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Central Asian leaders last year. He urged members of the US Congress to visit the region more frequently and expressed hope that he would return to Central Asia.
According to Rubio, holding the C5+1 meeting in the region alongside a bilateral visit demonstrates Washington’s determination to intensify engagement with Central Asian countries.
