Speaking in Samarkand during a visit accompanied by representatives of nearly 300 US businesses, Rubio said the region has significant potential for expanding commercial ties and cooperation across a range of sectors.
“Few places on Earth have historically played such an important role in global trade and commerce as Samarkand,” Rubio said.
He said the United States is expanding its diplomatic and economic engagement across Central Asia, with the aim of building on historical ties and creating new opportunities for cooperation.
Rubio described the visit as a starting point for broader engagement rather than a one-off initiative, pointing to opportunities in trade, science and technology.
“We have such incredible opportunities to do great things together for our peoples, both on the commercial field and trade, in science and technology, and in so many fields,” he said.
The delegation includes business leaders seeking to explore commercial agreements and establish long-term partnerships with countries across the region. Rubio said closer cooperation could bring mutual benefits to the United States and Central Asian nations.
