Uzbekistan and Syria Discuss Expanding Trade and Investment Cooperation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Syria is emerging as one of the most promising destinations for expanding exports and developing investment cooperation for Uzbekistan in the Middle East.

These issues were central to a meeting between Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, and the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Syrian Arab Republic, Alaa Omar Alali.

The parties noted that mutual trade has shown steady positive momentum, with bilateral trade turnover increasing almost fivefold between 2017 and 2025. At the same time, it was emphasized that current figures do not yet fully reflect the existing potential of bilateral cooperation.

Priority areas of collaboration include the establishment of an “Uzbekistan Trade House” and the development of logistics infrastructure in Syria, the creation of an intergovernmental commission, the organization of regular exhibitions under the “Made in Uzbekistan” and “Made in Syria” formats, and the formation of an Uzbek–Syrian Business Council.

The discussions also covered expanding the range of contracts and increasing supplies of Uzbek pharmaceutical and food products, including processed goods, as well as boosting imports of Syrian olive oil.

Particular attention was paid to the preparation of agreements in the fields of trade, customs administration, quarantine and phytosanitary requirements, as well as arrangements on the mutual protection of investments.