Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have announced the launch of new joint projects worth $1.3 billion (€1.18 billion), as well as reconfirmed their plans to bring the annual bilateral trade turnover up to $10 billion (€8.6 billion) by 2030.
The announcements came during Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visit to Uzbekistan and his meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, ahead of the Seventh Consultative Meeting of Heads of State, which takes place this weekend in Tashkent.
“Our relations have now reached the highest level—that of a strategic partnership and alliance,” said Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
His Kazakh counterpart, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, noted that “contrary to the speculations of so-called ‘experts,’ Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are by no means rivals or even competitors, but strategic partners, reliable allies, walking together along the path of progress and development.”
The two leaders joined the virtual launch of seven big projects in industry, construction, petrochemicals, finance, logistics, and tourism.
Among them is the “Central Asia” International Industrial Cooperation Centre near the Atameken (Kazakhstan) and Gulistan (Uzbekistan) border crossing points.
The facility will include production sites, warehouses for storing goods and equipment, and transport infrastructure. This will speed up cargo delivery and reduce logistics costs.
Other projects include the head office of “Tenge Bank” in Tashkent, the beginning of construction of the “Silkway Central Asia” multipurpose logistics center in the Tashkent region, the “Astana” residential complex in New Tashkent, a petrochemical complex for alkylbenzene production in the Kashkadarya region, the “Astana” hotel complex in New Tashkent, and the “Tashkent” hotel complex in the capital of Kazakhstan.
Economic integration and trade growth
During the leader’s negotiations and the second meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council, it was announced that the trade between the two countries has reached $4 billion (more than €3.4 billion) since the beginning of the year.
Both governments have established a common goal of reaching $10 billion (more than €8.6 billion) by 2030. In support of this target, both sides noted increased mutual supplies, diversification of trade structures, and industrial cooperation.
Additionally, an Industrial Cooperation Program with a total value of over $8 billion (almost €6.9 billion) has been prepared, encompassing projects in the chemical, geological, infrastructure, logistics, agro-industrial, and many other sectors.
Infrastructure and transport connectivity were also major themes, with both presidents agreeing to enhance transport corridors and improve border infrastructure.
Both leaders discussed new routes, such as the Uchkuduq–Kyzylorda corridor, and the intensification of freight via the Aktau, Kuryk, and Khorgos ports.
At the same time, energy cooperation remains a strategic pillar of the partnership. Mirziyoyev and Tokayev noted progress in joint projects in both traditional and renewable energy sectors and pledged continued coordination in water management and environmental protection—areas of vital importance for the broader Central Asian region.
Tokayev given “High-ranking Friendship”
Besides economic issues, the visit also saw the signing of an agreement between the two countries on joint management and utilisation of transboundary water bodies, reflecting the importance both sides attach to coordinated management of waters and the environment.
Also, over the past year, cultural events such as ballet performances, art exhibitions, youth festivals, and literary forums have attracted considerable public interest, improving cultural and humanitarian ties.
Both sides emphasised plans to expand academic and scientific exchanges, develop tourism programs, and deepen collaboration between youth and creative organisations.
One of the symbolic moments of the visit was President Mirziyoyev’s decision to confer on President Tokayev the highest state award of Uzbekistan, the order “Oliy Darajali Dustlik” (“High-ranking Friendship”).
For his part, President Tokayev said that he took the order as a manifestation of respect for himself and for the people of Kazakhstan.
President Mirziyoyev said that the award indicates recognition by Uzbekistan of the merits of the Kazakh leader in developing cooperation and making a contribution to the development of relations between the two states.
The visit was concluded with the adoption of a joint statement and the signing of 17 bilateral documents on energy, geology, water management, customs coordination, healthcare, tourism, and youth cooperation.
Experts say the mix of newly launched projects and longer-term agreements shows the intention of the governments to expand practical collaboration and support steady trade growth over the coming years.
Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also held a meeting with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, who arrived in the country to participate in the seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia.
Topical issues of further developing and strengthening the Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations of strategic partnership and alliance were discussed in the context of implementing the agreements reached during the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan in July this year.
Since the beginning of the year, trade turnover has increased by 15 percent between the two countries, with some joint industrial cooperation projects in the automotive industry, energy, tourism, and other sectors in the active implementation phase.