President of Uzbekistan Outlines New Priorities for Uzbek-U.S. Economic Cooperation
On October 19, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the opening of the second meeting of the American-Uzbek Business and Investment Council.
The event was also attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy of the U.S. President Sergio Gor, and representatives of leading American companies and banks.
In his address, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the symbolic significance of discussing new opportunities for cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States in Samarkand, a city that for centuries has brought together peoples and cultures and served as a crossroads of major trade routes.
The President noted that Uzbek-U.S. relations have reached a qualitatively new level, primarily due to the personal attention and support of U.S. President Donald Trump.
He stressed the importance of further expanding economic ties on the foundation of a strong political partnership.
The American-Uzbek Business and Investment Council plays an important role in this process, making a significant contribution to advancing joint projects and initiatives.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted the wide-ranging transformations underway in Uzbekistan: the economy is growing, new enterprises are being established, jobs are being created, and access to education for young people is expanding.
At the same time, further industrial development and the creation of modern infrastructure require investment to be accompanied by advanced technologies, knowledge transfer, and the exchange of experience.
In this context, the President highlighted Uzbekistan’s extensive experience of cooperation with American businesses. Hundreds of companies with U.S. capital operate in Uzbekistan, with partnerships spanning industry, energy, transport, agriculture, education, and new technologies. Uzbek companies, in turn, are beginning to invest in the U.S. economy.
Promising areas for further expanding the partnership include the development and deep processing of critical minerals to produce high-tech products, as well as the development of a modern and reliable energy system. Other priorities include the establishment of data centers, the introduction of artificial intelligence and digital solutions in industry, agriculture, education, and public administration, as well as education and personnel training.
Extensive preparations were carried out ahead of the current meeting of the Business and Investment Council. As a result, a package of 54 agreements and promising initiatives worth approximately $12 billion has been prepared. A comprehensive action program will be developed to ensure their practical implementation.
To further enhance the Council’s effectiveness, the President outlined three priority tasks.
First, clear and predictable conditions must be created for American businesses. Investors coming to Uzbekistan should be able to start operations immediately, without losing time to administrative procedures.
In this context, the transition to a new model of working with investors based on the “plug and play” principle was highlighted. Investors will be offered fully prepared projects with ready sites, connected infrastructure, and all necessary permits and documentation.
At the same time, Uzbek entrepreneurs will be able to participate as partners and share investment risks. A Direct Investment Fund has been established to participate in such projects.
Another priority is to jointly develop new sectors of the economy and establish major centers of industrial and technological growth.
Finally, the Council should become a strategic mechanism for long-term economic partnership between the two countries. In this regard, it was proposed to develop a Trade, Investment and Technological Cooperation Program through 2035.
At the same time, the Council should serve as an effective platform for developing new initiatives, removing systemic barriers, and promoting large-scale joint projects.