Uzbekistan and the EU Sign Eight Agreements in Investment, Pharmaceuticals, and Digital Technologies

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In Brussels, the Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, Laziz Kudratov, held a series of strategic meetings aimed at strengthening partnership with European institutions, attracting investments, and developing joint projects in priority economic sectors.

One of the key events was the business forum, "Days of the Uzbek Economy in Europe," organized by the MIIT (Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade) jointly with the EuroUz association, with the support of the European Commission and the European Investment Bank, at the Mérode Residence. Approximately 150 representatives of business circles from Uzbekistan and EU countries participated in the forum.

The forum's opening was led by the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, Teresa Ribera, MIIT Head Laziz Kudratov, Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, and EuroUz Board Chairman Pierre-Paul Antheunissens.

In his speech, Laziz Kudratov noted that the volume of mutual trade between Uzbekistan and the EU has nearly doubled in recent years—from US$3.2 billion in 2018 to US$6.3 billion in 2024, and reached US$4.5 billion in January–August 2025, showing a growth of 9%. The Minister emphasized that Uzbekistan's accession to the GSP+ system opens up wide opportunities for Uzbek producers to export to Europe and contributes to the development of joint production facilities.

The Head of MIIT presented the reforms under the "Uzbekistan-2030" strategy to the participants, focusing on economic liberalization, the development of digital and "green" technologies, improving the investment climate, and supporting the private sector.

Special attention was paid to four priority areas of cooperation: mining and critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, digitalization, and the food industry.

The forum included panel sessions on the topics: "Uzbekistan – A New Global Hub for Business and Investment," "Uzbekistan at the Crossroads of Eurasian Interconnectivity," and "Sustainable Water Use and Critical Raw Materials: Regional and Global Perspectives." Speakers included representatives from the European Investment Bank, OECD, Greystar Real Estate Partners, SUEZ, SES, and other companies.

At the document signing ceremony, eight agreements and memorandums were concluded in the fields of investment, logistics, pharmaceuticals, digital technologies, and industrial cooperation. These included an agreement between MIIT and EuroUz, contracts for the supply of cable products, as well as agreements between Uzkimyosanoat and NEXTCHEM S.P.A., JV UZ-SAT with SES and VEON, and others.

The forum confirmed the high level of trust and mutual interest between the parties, serving as a platform for constructive dialogue among government agencies, business circles, and financial institutions of Europe and Uzbekistan.