Uzbekistan and UAE Drive $20 Billion Investment Portfolio across 100 Projects

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On the sidelines of the fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum (TMIF-2026), a strategically vital meeting took place between the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Jamshid Khodjayev, and the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei.

The negotiations served as a logical extension of the dialogue initiated in Abu Dhabi in April, allowing both parties to focus heavily on aligning specific timelines and operational parameters for key joint initiatives.

During the session, official data was presented showcasing the rapid momentum underpinning bilateral economic ties. By the close of 2025, mutual trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the UAE registered a record increase of over 50%, surpassing the $1.25 billion milestone. This upward trajectory continues unabated, with trade volumes for the period from January to April already reaching $626 million.

To date, the joint investment portfolio of the two nations features approximately 100 large-scale projects with a total value exceeding $20 billion, highlighting an exceptional level of mutual trust and the long-term nature of the bilateral strategic partnership.

The Vice-Premier and the Emirati Minister paid particular attention to refining major infrastructure and industrial frameworks. Priority topics included the development of a comprehensive transport and logistics network, highlighted by the potential involvement of the Emirati national railway developer, Etihad Rail, in the strategic Trans-Afghan Railway Corridor project.

Additionally, the sides reviewed deep digitalization efforts for logistics processes in partnership with the AD Ports Group, a comprehensive modernization of Uzbekistan’s national gas distribution network, the integration of modern Islamic finance mechanisms, and grant-based support for innovative startups.

As Jamshid Khodjayev emphasized, these core vectors of integration are geared toward achieving a vital national objective: radically lowering domestic logistics costs, diversifying the industrial capabilities of Uzbekistan's regions, and attracting sustainable foreign capital.

Following the high-level talks, both parties finalized an agreement to transition toward immediate practical steps managed by specialized project teams and financial regulators.