The UAE and Uzbekistan explored avenues to expand their growing economic relationship, focusing on enhancing trade, investment, and sectoral cooperation.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, held high-level talks with an Uzbek delegation aimed at expanding bilateral trade, investment, and sectoral cooperation.
The Uzbek delegation included Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, alongside Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade.
Discussions focused on strengthening sustainable development partnerships across a wide range of priority sectors.
These included the new economy, tourism, aviation, fintech, transport, and renewable energy—areas increasingly seen as central to long-term economic resilience.
Both countries also expanded collaboration in food security, logistics, manufacturing, infrastructure, and banking, underlining a comprehensive approach to bilateral engagement.
Officials emphasized the importance of aligning economic strategies to foster innovation-led growth while enhancing cross-border investment flows.
Growing business and investment
During the meeting, Bin Touq underscored the expanding footprint of Uzbek businesses in the UAE, revealing that more than 2,300 Uzbek companies are currently operating in the country.
The minister noted that such engagements play a crucial role in transforming emerging opportunities into tangible joint ventures while also strengthening direct communication channels between the private sectors of both nations.
The discussions also reinforced the UAE’s position as a preferred global investment hub, supported by a pro-business regulatory environment and forward-looking economic policies.
Tourism and economic reforms drive momentum
Tourism emerged as a key pillar of bilateral growth, with the number of Uzbek visitors to the UAE rising by 25 percent, from 57,575 in 2024 to 71,969 in 2025.
This surge reflects increasing connectivity and cultural exchange between the two nations, further supporting broader economic ties.
UAE representatives also highlighted recent economic reforms aimed at sustaining competitiveness. These include measures to enhance liquidity for businesses, reduce operational costs amid global economic pressures, and streamline customs procedures.
‘Investopia Tashkent’ to unlock new opportunities
The countries discussed future collaboration through the upcoming Investopia Tashkent, to be held alongside the Tashkent International Investment Forum.
The platform is expected to spotlight investment prospects across emerging sectors in the UAE, Uzbekistan, and broader Asian markets.
The initiative underscores a shared vision to build a dynamic and flexible business ecosystem between the two countries and pave the way for deeper economic cooperation.
