Uzbekistan-Tajikistan Trade Could Grow 30–40%

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — According to the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CEIR), mutual trade between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan could increase by an additional 30–40%. Opportunities for expanding economic interaction are primarily linked to the development of industrial cooperation between the two countries.

On March 12, 2026, in Tashkent, CEIR Deputy Director Khurshed Asadov made this statement during the international scientific-practical conference “Uzbekistan – Tajikistan: New Prospects for Partnership and Regional Cooperation.”

He noted that in recent years, relations between the two states have reached a qualitatively new level. Strategic partnership and allied agreements have created an institutional framework for activating trade and economic engagement and strengthening bilateral ties.

According to CEIR estimates, between 2017 and 2025, bilateral trade increased 3.8 times — from US$238 million to US$912 million. Uzbek exports rose 3.7 times, while imports from Tajikistan grew more than fourfold.

Currently, Tajikistan is among Uzbekistan’s key regional partners, ranking ninth among countries importing Uzbek products.

Experts at CEIR emphasize that these figures reflect only part of the potential for economic cooperation. They estimate that bilateral trade could grow another 30–40% through substitution of Tajik imports from third countries with Uzbek products.

Geographical proximity, a shared border, and developed transport infrastructure create favorable conditions for further expanding trade links.

The most promising areas include increasing supplies of Uzbek industrial products, such as automobiles, household appliances, textiles, and chemical goods.

Significant potential also exists in industrial cooperation. Joint processing facilities in border regions, particularly in agricultural raw material processing and the development of agrologistics centers, are considered prospective directions.

Asadov noted that further improvement of transport infrastructure and expansion of transit potential in Central Asia could additionally drive economic ties.

The deputy director emphasized that the current level of allied relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan provides a solid foundation for transitioning to a deeper model of economic engagement, focused on joint investment, industrial cooperation, and regional infrastructure modernization. This could strengthen economic interconnection and sustainable development across Central Asia.

For reference: The international scientific-practical conference “Uzbekistan – Tajikistan: New Prospects for Partnership and Regional Cooperation” was organized by the International Institute of Central Asia. Participants included government officials, diplomats, and experts and academics from both countries, who discussed the current state and future prospects for trade, investment, and humanitarian cooperation between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.