Uzbekistan and Belarus sign new agreements at regional forum

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The third Forum of Regions of Uzbekistan and Belarus has concluded in Minsk with the signing of 14 interregional documents, the approval of a cooperation plan for 2026–2030, and the launch of seven joint projects valued at US$164 million. The event took place during the official visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Belarus.

The forum was held under the motto "Cooperation of Regions as a Driver of Economic Cooperation." It was attended by Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev and Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Shuleiko.

The event brought together representatives from relevant ministries, agencies, business circles, and regional administrations of both nations. The Uzbek delegation included the governors of the Tashkent, Andijan, and Ferghana regions, alongside deputy heads from 11 other regions.

The main objective of the forum was to expand interregional interaction, increase mutual trade, advance industrial cooperation, and implement joint investment projects.

During the plenary session, participants noted that trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Belarus continues to expand. While mutual trade did not reach US$100 million a few years ago, it reached US$965 million by the end of 2025. Currently, 250 enterprises with Belarusian capital operate in Uzbekistan, while 110 enterprises with Uzbek investors are registered in Belarus.

During the forum, Jamshid Khodjayev and Yury Shuleiko signed an action plan to develop cooperation between Uzbekistan and Belarus for 2026–2030. The document outlines measures to increase mutual trade turnover to US$2 billion, advance industrial cooperation, and implement joint projects in the electrical, light, pharmaceutical, furniture, agricultural, and construction industries.

Participants noted that the plan will serve as a practical guide for ministries, regions, and business sectors in both countries, ensuring systematic support for joint projects over the medium term. Initiatives are already underway for producing cable products, tractors, and pharmaceuticals, as well as poultry processing and assembling mining equipment.

A schedule of mutual visits between the regions of Uzbekistan and Belarus for 2026–2027 was also approved at the forum.

In addition, seven new projects with a total value of US$164 million were launched. On Uzbek territory, plans include establishing a production complex for dyeing and drying knitted fabrics in the Andijan region, implementing the first phase of a poultry cluster in the Tashkent region, and setting up facilities for the storage, processing, and shock-freezing of fruits and vegetables, along with a fruit processing project, in the Ferghana region.

In the afternoon, forum participants held thematic sessions focused on industrial cooperation, agriculture and food, woodworking, the furniture industry, and cooperation in the social and humanitarian spheres.

The third Forum of Regions confirmed the high potential of interregional interaction and marked another step in developing the long-term economic partnership between Uzbekistan and Belarus.