Uzbekistan and Altai Republic Seek Closer Cooperation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and Russia's Altai Republic have discussed expanding cooperation in agriculture, livestock, trade and tourism.

Uzbekistan's Consul General in Novosibirsk, Aslam Akbarov, held talks in Gorno-Altaysk with Irina Petrovskaya, Deputy Chair of the Government of the Altai Republic.

The meeting was also attended by Altai Republic Agriculture Minister Andrei Tsygulev and Acting Minister of Economic Development Konstantin Borovykh.

Petrovskaya said Uzbekistan's regions rank fourth among the Altai Republic's main foreign economic partners. Bilateral trade increased fivefold in 2025 to reach US$8.5 million.

The Russian side expressed its readiness to expand exports to Uzbekistan of biopharmaceutical products made from antler raw materials, herbal products, honey and other beekeeping products, wool, down, cheese, confectionery and meat products. Participants also noted growing demand for Uzbek agricultural products in the Altai market.

Akbarov reaffirmed Uzbekistan's interest in increasing imports of cattle from the Altai Republic, including breeding stock, as well as horses and goats. He said nearly 30,000 head of cattle were supplied to Uzbekistan last year.

Agriculture Minister Andrei Tsygulev said cooperation between regional companies continues to expand. In particular, exports of Gorno-Altai breed goats to Uzbekistan reached 2,300 head in 2025, compared with 930 a year earlier.

The Uzbek side also proposed developing direct contacts between farmers in the two countries to reduce the number of intermediaries and lower the cost of livestock supplies.

The participants also discussed tourism, noting growing interest among residents of the Altai Republic in Uzbekistan's tourism opportunities. They said the opening of the international terminal at Gorno-Altaysk Airport is expected to help increase two-way tourist flows.

At the end of the talks, the Russian side supported a proposal to hold a videoconference in the near future involving the Altai Republic's Tourism Development Department, Uzbekistan's Tourism Committee and tour operators from both countries.