Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan sign $352 million in agreements to boost cooperation

Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister’s Office reported that the agreements are expected to pave the way for new breakthrough projects that will significantly contribute to the sustainable economic development of the entire Central Asian region. Kazakh officials emphasized the importance of expanding trade, with plans to increase exports to Uzbekistan by over $550 million across 40 product categories, including petrochemical, metallurgical, automotive, food, and pharmaceutical goods.

The forum also highlighted the need to enhance transport and logistics links between the two countries. Currently, more than half of Uzbekistan’s trade transits through Kazakhstan, and 18 passenger routes have been established across various transport modes, creating further opportunities for strengthening bilateral ties.

A key focus of the discussions was the implementation of 74 joint projects worth $3.4 billion, which are expected to create 14,600 new jobs. Of these, 65 enterprises will be established in Kazakhstan, accounting for 13,600 jobs, while Uzbekistan will host the remaining projects. So far, 9 joint projects have been successfully completed in Kazakhstan and 3 in Uzbekistan, creating 4,800 jobs.

Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov underscored the close cooperation between neighboring regions of both countries, including Karakalpakstan’s ties with Kazakhstan’s Mangistau region, and Tashkent’s with Turkestan. He noted that while significant progress has been made, there is still untapped potential for further cooperation, especially in trade and industrial collaboration.