Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 29 April 2025, an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Heads of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of CIS countries took place in Tashkent as part of the first Forum of Regions of the CIS member states. The meeting focused on the theme "The Role of Regional Cooperation in Shaping a Unified Economic Space in the CIS."

As of 2024, Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover with CIS countries amounted to US$23.1 billion. Of this amount, exports totaled US$9 billion, while imports were US$14 billion. Around 5,500 companies with capital from CIS countries are successfully operating in Uzbekistan.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chairmen of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Uzbekistan, Dilshod Rasulov and Nodira Shotursunova, Deputy Secretary-General of the CIS, Ilkhom Nematov, the representative of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation in Uzbekistan, Ildus Khalitov, as well as the heads of the chambers of commerce and industry of the CIS countries.

The discussions covered issues related to the development of interregional cooperation, strengthening economic ties, and creating effective mechanisms for cooperation. Special attention was given to improving the work of chambers of commerce and industry and expanding cooperative ties between the business communities of CIS countries. Joint initiatives and specific proposals were put forward.

At the end of the meeting, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Tashkent City Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Mordovia, as well as a memorandum of understanding between the CCI of Uzbekistan and the CCI of Kyrgyzstan for the development of women's entrepreneurship.

Concluding the meeting, the participants noted that this dialogue was an important step towards strengthening economic cooperation within the CIS and creating a unified economic space.