Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A press conference was held at the Sputnik Uzbekistan multimedia press center with the participation of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to Uzbekistan, Aleksandr Ogorodnikov. The event focused on current issues in Belarus-Uzbekistan trade and economic cooperation.

The ambassador highlighted the steady growth of bilateral trade. According to 2024 data, the volume of mutual trade increased by over 10%, signaling a positive trajectory in the development of partnership relations.

“The goal set by our heads of state — to reach a trade turnover of one billion dollars — is now seen as attainable. If we maintain annual growth rates of 10%, we could reach this target by 2030–2031,” Ogorodnikov emphasized.

According to Belarusian statistics, bilateral trade currently stands at approximately $630 million, while Uzbek data puts the figure closer to $714 million. Despite these differences, both sides agree on one point — the numbers are rising, and cooperation is deepening.

Special attention was given to joint manufacturing projects in Uzbekistan. In 2025, assembly production of Belarusian tractors and cable products is set to begin.

“Belarusian agricultural machinery has proven its reliability and ease of use. Tractors, in particular, are versatile machines suitable for both agriculture and municipal services. Given the high level of readiness of the production facilities and the certification of five tractor models, we expect to launch assembly operations this year,” said the ambassador.

The discussion also covered the expansion of foreign economic activities. Belarus plans to establish a strong presence in the Afghan market through a trade hub in Termez. The opening of the first Belarusian retail store is scheduled for June.

“The creation of trade platforms in border areas like Termez is aligned with international best practices and aims to stimulate commerce and promote cross-border cooperation. It’s an important step toward strengthening economic ties across the region,” Ogorodnikov concluded.