Uzbekistan and Türkiye Agree to Expand Trade and Industrial Cooperation to US$5 Billion

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Under the chairmanship of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the fourth session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council was held.

The leaders noted the symbolic significance of the meeting, taking place on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan and in the year marking the 30th anniversary of the Treaty of Eternal Friendship and Cooperation between the two countries. They highlighted the dynamic development of political dialogue and the alignment of positions on key international issues.

An agreement was reached to continue mutual support within the United Nations, the Organization of Turkic States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Economic Cooperation Organization, and other international platforms. Interparliamentary relations were also strengthened, including the work of friendship groups.

Special attention was given to expanding economic cooperation: the volume of bilateral trade, the number of joint ventures, and projects with leading Turkish companies continue to grow. The parties set a target to raise trade turnover to US$5 billion in the coming years, including through the expansion of the range of goods under the Preferential Trade Agreement. New priority areas for industrial cooperation were identified, which will be implemented through a dedicated program.

Significant potential was noted for interregional cooperation: by the end of the year, delegations from all regions of Uzbekistan will visit Türkiye to form a portfolio of projects with partner regions. The leaders emphasized the demand for adopting advanced Turkish experience in agriculture, horticulture, healthcare, and medical tourism.

The parties also discussed the development of tourism, the organization of theatrical festivals and cultural weeks, joint production of historical films, and the restoration of cultural heritage sites. In education, it was agreed to hold the fourth Rectors’ Forum in Bukhara in the spring of this year.

During the session, reports were presented by the co-chairs of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Prospective Areas of Multifaceted Partnership.

Following the meeting, the governments were instructed to approve a “roadmap” for implementing the agreed decisions.

In conclusion, President Mirziyoyev invited President Erdoğan to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan.