Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan to Lift Trade Barriers on 20 Goods from 10 August

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have agreed to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers for a range of goods starting from 10 August. The announcement was made on 5 August during the Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum in Tashkent.

The decision covers agricultural and food products, textiles, construction materials, machinery, electrical equipment, furniture and other goods.

The issue of trade restrictions was discussed at a meeting of the Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Commission in Aktau, attended by the prime ministers of both countries. Following the talks, the sides adopted decisions addressing barriers previously raised by businesses.

"Businesses have been talking about this for a long time — it was a problem... A week ago, it was announced that from 10 August all existing tariff and non-tariff barriers would be removed. We are confident this will give a major boost to entrepreneurs in both countries," said Davron Vakhabov, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan.

Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Yerlan Turgumbayev, said the decisions cover around 20 product categories.

"Our relations have reached a very high level. This is undoubtedly linked to the trusting and fraternal relations between the leaders of our countries... Barriers have been removed for nearly 20 categories of goods within a week. I believe such prompt decision-making has never happened before," he said.

According to the ambassador, Kazakhstan also has the capacity to increase exports to Uzbekistan across 261 product categories.

According to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, barriers will be removed for the following Harmonized System product groups: 07 – fresh and chilled vegetables; 08 – fruits, berries and melons; 10 – selected cereal products; 11 – processed grain products; 17 – sugar and confectionery; 19 – prepared grain products; 20 – processed vegetables and fruit; 22 – non-alcoholic beverages; 39 – plastic products; 52 – cotton and cotton fibre; 54–63 – textiles, fabrics, clothing and knitwear; 68 – construction materials; 69 – ceramic products; 70 – glass and glass products; 73 – metal structures and iron and steel products; 84 – machinery and equipment; 85 – electrical equipment; 87 – selected automotive components; and 94 – furniture.

The Chamber did not specify which restrictions applied to each product group or whether they would be removed simultaneously by both countries.

Kanat Sharlapayev, Chairman of the Presidium of Kazakhstan's National Chamber of Entrepreneurs Atameken, said efforts to eliminate obstacles to bilateral trade should become a permanent process.

"There are areas where logistical issues need to be resolved. There are well-known issues at the border, and we should not deny them — they need to be addressed. This is the beginning of long-term joint work," he said.

Bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan reached about US$5 billion in 2025, up 11% from 2024. The presidents of the two countries have set a target of increasing trade turnover to US$10 billion.

"US$10 billion is made up of a US$5 million contract, a US$1 million contract and daily work. We should achieve US$10 billion in trade not through political statements, but through everyday cooperation between our countries," Sharlapayev said.