Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan launch free trade regime, removing customs barriers

The Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan confirmed the agreement’s implementation on March 7.

It was noted that the necessary bilateral procedures for the enforcement of the protocol on "Exemptions from the Free Trade Regime" under the "Agreement on the Main Directions of Long-Term Trade and Economic Cooperation Between the Governments of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan," signed on July 16, 2024, have been completed.

This protocol was approved by the President of Uzbekistan's Resolution No. 29, dated January 27, 2025.

For reference, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in 2024 amounted to $1.14 billion, marking a 5.5% increase compared to the previous year.

"The introduction of the free trade regime has removed existing restrictions on mutual trade between the two countries, abolished customs duties on goods produced in both nations (with some exceptions), and simplified trade procedures.

"For example, customs duties have been lifted on locally produced cement products (previously 100%), textile fabrics (50%), furniture (50%), glass containers (50%), water heating boilers (15%), plastic and polypropylene products (10%), sausages and meat products ($2 per kg), and cottonseed oil ($1 per kg) imported into Turkmenistan," the Ministry stated.

Notably, Turkmenistan is not a member of the free trade zone within the Commonwealth of Independent States.