BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 20. Uzbekistan and
Saudi Arabia are working to expand bilateral trade and investment
ties.


This was reflected in a statement by the Uzbek Ministry of
Investment, Industry and Trade, following a meeting between
Minister Laziz Kudratov and Saad Abu Haimed, Saudi Arabia’s
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Uzbekistan, on
August 20.


According to the Ministry, Saudi investments in Uzbekistan
reached $2.8 billion in 2025, up 105% from a year earlier.


''Bilateral trade reached $178 million in 2025, an increase of
24% year over year. Uzbekistan currently has 433 enterprises with
Saudi capital participation,'' the Ministry of Investment, Industry
and Trade notes.


The sides focused on increasing and diversifying bilateral
trade, organizing business missions and exhibitions, and advancing
joint projects across several sectors.


Priority areas include energy, digital technologies, transport,
finance, healthcare and education, according to the ministry.


''Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia are placing particular emphasis on
expanding trade, strengthening investment cooperation and advancing
joint projects in priority sectors,'' the ministry said.







The sides also discussed increasing direct business contacts
through reciprocal business missions and participation in
exhibitions, which could help companies identify new commercial and
investment opportunities.


Saudi investment has become an increasingly important component
of Uzbekistan’s economic cooperation with the Gulf country. The
105% annual increase in utilized Saudi investment highlights the
expansion of the two countries’ investment ties.


Following the meeting, Uzbekistan proposed holding the next
meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission in Riyadh in the fourth
quarter of 2026.


The parties also discussed arrangements for Uzbekistan’s
participation in EXPO 2030 in Saudi Arabia, including the
establishment of an Uzbekistan national pavilion.


The planned commission meeting is expected to provide an
additional platform for reviewing bilateral economic projects and
identifying new areas for cooperation.


The latest discussions reflect Tashkent’s efforts to deepen
economic ties with Saudi Arabia through greater trade
diversification, investment, and business-to-business
cooperation.