Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Interregional Forum Focuses on Expanding Economic Cooperation
Baku, The Gulf Observer: The 4th Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Interregional Forum was held in Tashkent with a focus on strengthening bilateral economic relations, promoting joint investment projects and expanding cooperation between the business communities of the two countries.
The forum was supported by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade and co-organised by the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) and Uzbekistan’s Investment Promotion Agency.
The event brought together government officials and representatives of nearly 400 companies from a wide range of sectors, including heavy industry, automotive manufacturing, metallurgy, construction, textiles, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and tourism.
Addressing the forum, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov said the strong political will demonstrated by the presidents of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan had provided significant momentum to the development of bilateral relations, particularly in diversifying economic cooperation and strengthening business ties.
The discussions focused on expanding economic cooperation, strengthening business-to-business contacts and promoting joint initiatives in industry, investment, trade, energy, transport, digitalisation and agriculture.
Participants identified the Middle Corridor as a key element of Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan economic cooperation, highlighting the importance of transforming the route from a conventional transit corridor into a high-value economic platform capable of generating broader trade and investment opportunities.
The forum also highlighted the investment potential of Karabakh and East Zangezur, with participants noting that infrastructure development and government incentives are creating favourable conditions for increased private-sector participation in the regions.
Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov highlighted the steady expansion of economic relations between the two countries, while AZPROMO Executive Director Yusif Abdullayev and Acting Director of Uzbekistan’s Investment Promotion Agency Roksana Nesor underlined the export and investment opportunities available in both countries.
The forum was attended by senior representatives from Baku, Tashkent, Tashkent Region and Namangan, as well as officials responsible for Azerbaijan’s Aghdam, Fuzuli and Khojavend districts and Bilasuvar District.
A key outcome of the forum was the signing of bilateral agreements covering strategic areas including energy, finance, infrastructure, construction and industrial manufacturing.
The agreements are aimed at expanding trade networks, encouraging greater private-sector participation and facilitating the implementation of joint projects between companies and institutions of the two countries.
The forum concluded with B2B meetings, providing entrepreneurs and business representatives with an opportunity to explore new partnerships, investment prospects and avenues for expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
