Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan may soon receive Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status from the United States.

Republican Congressman Trent Kelly has introduced Bill H.R. 2329, aimed at strengthening trade ties between the U.S. and Uzbekistan.

The proposed legislation calls for the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment in relation to Uzbekistan. If approved, the country will gain PNTR status, eliminating existing trade barriers and opening up new opportunities for bilateral cooperation.

On 25 March 2025, the bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, marking a significant step toward its potential adoption.

According to congress.gov, granting Uzbekistan PNTR status would facilitate easier access for Uzbek goods to the U.S. market, remove restrictions imposed by previous trade amendments, and create a more favorable environment for foreign investment in the country’s economy.

Efforts to extend PNTR status to Central Asian countries have been made before. In November 2022, Congressman Thomas Suozzi introduced a similar bill covering Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, but the initiative failed to gain approval.

The fate of H.R. 2329 now depends on the level of support in the U.S. Congress and the position of the Biden administration.

If passed, the bill would mark a major milestone in Uzbekistan-U.S. trade relations, providing a significant boost to economic growth and attracting new investments into the country.