Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov has proposed that the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) expand industrial cooperation, launch pilot projects in energy-intensive sectors and establish a cooperation project office in Uzbekistan. He made the proposals on 2 October at an expanded meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Minsk.
According to Aripov, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with EAEU countries increased by 16% in the first eight months of 2026. In 2025, the figure exceeded US$20 billion. Uzbekistan has held observer status in the EAEU since 2020.
One of the proposals was to develop a joint industrial cooperation programme based on the results of the Innoprom exhibitions in Tashkent and Minsk. The document would include specific projects, production sites, partners and sources of financing.
For the practical implementation of such projects, Aripov proposed establishing a cooperation project office in Uzbekistan. According to him, this would help move from establishing business contacts to creating actual production facilities.
The prime minister also placed particular emphasis on the green transformation of industry. He proposed selecting pilot projects in energy-intensive sectors, including those using artificial intelligence-based solutions, and identifying mechanisms for green financing, preferential lending and public-private partnerships.
Aripov identified organised labour mobility as another area for cooperation. In particular, he proposed integrating national electronic employment services to make the processes more transparent and convenient for citizens.
In tourism, Uzbekistan proposed jointly creating a “Central Asian Tourist Ring” and developing and promoting the first routes and tourism packages.
The prime minister separately said Uzbekistan was ready to accelerate the approval of an agreement on the exchange of customs information and identify the necessary steps to join the EAEU’s unified customs transit system. Earlier, the Eurasian Economic Commission and Uzbekistan had already agreed on a draft of the relevant agreement following the first round of negotiations.
Aripov also stressed the need to reduce excessive procedures in the field of technical regulation.
Overall, Uzbekistan’s proposals envisage expanding cooperation with the EAEU across several areas, ranging from industrial and energy cooperation to labour mobility, tourism and the simplification of customs procedures.
