Škoda Group Strengthens Cooperation with Uzbekistan and Plans to Establish a Joint Venture

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Škoda Group continues to actively expand its business in Central Asia, deepening its partnership with Uzbekistan. The company’s CEO, Petr Novotny, participated in high-level talks under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Brussels, the company’s press service reported on 29 October.

The roundtable, focused on strengthening cooperation between Uzbekistan and leading European industrial companies, aimed to discuss ways to modernize the country’s transport infrastructure and introduce advanced technologies.

The high-level negotiations confirmed European business interest in implementing joint initiatives that could contribute to the sustainable development of Uzbekistan’s transport system.

Petr Novotny emphasized the strategic importance of Central Asia for Škoda Group:

“Central Asia is a promising market that we have been targeting for a long time. Discussions with representatives from Uzbekistan and European business leaders confirm that European technologies and expertise can play a key role in the sustainable development of the region’s transport infrastructure.”

During the meeting, Škoda Group presented its strategic plan for entering the Uzbek market through the creation of a joint venture. This enterprise will operate in three main areas: local assembly of railway rolling stock, technical maintenance and lifecycle service support for equipment, and the establishment of Škoda Academy to train and upskill local specialists.

According to Novotny, each of these initiatives represents a concrete step in implementing the new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between the European Union and Uzbekistan, as well as the European Global Gateway strategy. He highlighted Uzbekistan’s openness to European investment and expressed the company’s commitment to contributing to sustainable transport, education, and technological modernization.

Uzbekistan’s Minister of Transport, Ilkhom Makhkamov, held separate discussions with Škoda Group representatives to explore practical measures for expanding cooperation in railway and urban transport sectors.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highly appreciated Škoda Group’s contribution to the development of Uzbekistan’s transport sector, particularly in transferring European technologies and expertise, and expressed support for the company’s long-term presence in the Uzbek market.

Also participating in the talks was Roman Sorkin, Škoda Group’s Vice President for Sales in Central Asia and the South Caucasus, who actively engages with the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, and other partners in Brussels.

The meeting took place shortly after the signing of the EPCA between the European Union and Uzbekistan, which establishes a new strategic framework for cooperation in investment, transport, energy, trade, and sustainable development. Under this agreement, the European Investment Bank, supported by the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) of the European Commission, will finance joint projects aligned with the Global Gateway initiative.