Uzbekistan, Singapore Move to Expand Strategic Partnership

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a visiting Singaporean delegation led by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 28 August 2026 to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation, investment engagement, technology transfer, and digitalization, according to the press service of the President of Uzbekistan.

At the outset of the meeting, Lee Hsien Loong conveyed greetings and best wishes to President Mirziyoyev on behalf of Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

The leaders noted positive dynamics in Uzbek-Singaporean relations, highlighting ongoing political dialogue across various levels, growing bilateral trade, and an increasing number of joint ventures operating in Uzbekistan.

Singaporean foreign direct investment in Uzbekistan's economy has reached approximately US$2 billion. During the negotiations, both parties agreed to support further expansion of Singaporean business and investment activities in the country.

A primary outcome of the meeting was the agreement to draft a joint medium-term Program for Strategic and Innovative Partnership. The upcoming framework is expected to encompass cooperation in trade, investment, technology transfer, public administration modernization, human capital development, and digital transformation.

The delegations also explored adapting Singapore's experience in managing special economic zones within Uzbekistan. Additional areas identified for collaboration include the development of the Tashkent International Financial Centre and digital banking infrastructure.

The parties supported the continued operations and expansion of Singaporean higher education institutions in Uzbekistan. Furthermore, participants emphasized the need to establish a regular, structured dialogue between relevant political and economic bodies to monitor the execution of high-level agreements and coordinate joint initiatives.

Both sides also welcomed Uzbekistan's recent accession to the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, also known as the Singapore Convention on Mediation.

Following the talks, the delegations exchanged views on mutual support within international organizations and broader regional cooperation frameworks.