Tashkent: A major business forum in Tashkent has highlighted the growing economic partnership between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, with business leaders and officials from both countries reaffirming their commitment to expanding trade, investment and industrial cooperation.The forum was attended by Chairman of Kazakhstan’s National Chamber of Entrepreneurs Atameken Kanat Sharlapaev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan Yeraly Togzhanov, Chairman of Uzbekistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Davron Vakhabov, along with leading representatives of the business communities of both nations.
Addressing the gathering, Kanat Sharlapaev said bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan continues to witness strong growth. He noted that trade volume increased by 16.2 percent in 2025, reaching $4.8 billion, while trade during the first five months of 2026 recorded a 37.2 percent increase compared with the same period last year.He added that Kazakhstan’s exports to Uzbekistan grew by 24.6 percent, reaching $3.52 billion, reflecting the expanding commercial links between the two economies.Sharlapaev stressed the importance of strengthening industrial cooperation and developing joint production initiatives to further enhance economic relations.
During the forum, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between Uzbekistan’s Glasfit Energy and Kazakhstan’s Armature-Insulator Plant aimed at establishing long-term partnership, expanding manufacturing cooperation and increasing the supply of Kazakh products to the Uzbek market.Participants also proposed establishing a permanent expert working group between Atameken and Uzbekistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry to facilitate business collaboration and address economic cooperation opportunities.
Currently, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are jointly implementing 80 projects worth $1.8 billion, reflecting the strategic nature of their economic partnership.Meanwhile, trade relations between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are also expanding, with bilateral trade surpassing $1.2 billion and both sides aiming to increase the figure to $2 billion in the near future.
