BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 7. Uzbekistan and
Russia's Samara region have agreed to deepen trade and investment
cooperation following a business forum that brought together
government officials and more than 100 companies from both
sides.


This was reflected in the statement by the Chamber of Commerce
and Industry of Uzbekistan.


The forum, titled "Further Expanding Cooperation Between the
Republic of Uzbekistan and Samara Region," was held in Samara and
was attended by representatives of government agencies, chambers of
commerce, business associations, and companies operating in the
automotive, machinery, chemical, textile, food processing,
construction, transport and logistics, information technology, and
tourism sectors.


The discussions focused on expanding bilateral trade,
strengthening industrial cooperation, attracting investment, and
increasing exports.


Speaking at the forum, Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of
Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan Odilkhon Rustamov highlighted
the growing economic partnership between Uzbekistan and Russia.


"By the end of 2025, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and
Russia had approached $13 billion. More than 3,000 enterprises with
Russian capital operate in Uzbekistan, while the country has
established over 40 special economic zones," Rustamov said.







As part of the event, the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of
Uzbekistan and the Samara region signed a memorandum of cooperation
aimed at promoting business ties and facilitating joint
projects.


Uzbek officials also invited companies from the Samara region to
utilize the opportunities offered by Uzbekistan's free economic
zone serving the Afghan market, presenting it as a platform for
expanding regional trade and logistics operations.


The sides also agreed to organize a visit by a business
delegation from the Samara region to Uzbekistan in September to
explore additional investment opportunities and strengthen
commercial partnerships.


The forum concluded with business-to-business (B2B) meetings,
resulting in the signing of a number of commercial contracts and
cooperation agreements, reflecting continued efforts by Uzbekistan
and Russia's regions to expand practical economic
collaboration.