Uzbekistan and China Sign Cooperation Protocol After Trade Talks

The ninth meeting of the Subcommittee on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Uzbekistan and the People's Republic of China was held on April 15. The session was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan Ilzat Kasymov and Deputy Minister of Commerce of China Lin Ji.

Discussions focused on the current state and future prospects for bilateral trade, strengthening investment ties, expanding transport and logistics partnerships, and cooperation within the "China-Central Asia" format.

The parties noted a steady increase in trade turnover. By the end of 2025, bilateral trade reached $17.8 billion. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, it grew by 53.4% compared to the same period last year.

A key topic was enhancing railway transportation and solidifying Uzbekistan's role as a pivotal logistics hub in the region. The meeting also covered the participation of Chinese financial institutions in joint projects and implementing innovative solutions to improve the business climate.

Preparations for upcoming international events were reviewed separately. These include a business forum in Hong Kong scheduled for May 5-6 and the Third Interregional Forum in Xi'an set for May 20-22.

Following the discussions, a final protocol on trade and economic cooperation issues within the framework of the Intergovernmental Committee was signed by both sides.