New Projects, Investments and Industrial Cooperation: Uzbekistan–Kazakhstan Business Forum Held in Tashkent

The second day of the three-day working visit of Kanat Sharlapayev, Chairman of the Presidium and Chairman of the Management Board of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Atameken", to the Republic of Uzbekistan was dedicated to strengthening direct ties between the business communities of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, expanding investment cooperation, enhancing industrial collaboration, and identifying new drivers of economic growth.

The central event of the day was the Uzbekistan–Kazakhstan Business Forum, which brought together representatives of government agencies, business circles, industry associations, development institutions, and entrepreneurs from both countries.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by Kanat Sharlapayev, Chairman of the Management Board of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken"; Yeraly Tugzhanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Uzbekistan; Davron Vakhabov, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan; as well as representatives of Uzbekistan's industry associations.

Addressing government officials, business leaders, and development institutions, Kanat Sharlapayev outlined the key priorities for further economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, emphasizing that the business community has become one of the main driving forces behind regional economic integration.

He noted that the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken" consistently works to ensure that the strategic partnership between the two countries is translated into practical outcomes through new investment projects, joint manufacturing initiatives, expanded trade, and broader opportunities for businesses.

According to him, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan possess all the necessary prerequisites to move to a new stage of cooperation based on joint investment, modern production value chains, and the development of high-tech industries.

This trend is reflected in the economic indicators. In 2025, bilateral trade increased by 16.2 percent to reach USD 4.8 billion. Kazakhstan's exports grew by 24.6 percent to USD 3.52 billion. During the first five months of 2026, bilateral trade amounted to USD 2.3 billion, representing a 37.2 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous year. Today, Uzbekistan accounts for more than 55 percent of Kazakhstan's trade with Central Asian countries, demonstrating the strong complementarity of the two economies and their significant growth potential.

The Head of Atameken stressed that the next stage of cooperation should focus on expanding industrial cooperation and creating conditions under which enterprises from both countries will not only increase trade but also jointly manufacture products with high added value.

In this regard, the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs proposed concentrating joint efforts on three key priorities.

The first is to establish transparent access to raw materials and expand cooperation in metallurgy, the chemical industry, polymer processing, and circular economy projects.

The second is the digitalization of transport and logistics infrastructure and foreign trade procedures. Priority areas include accelerating the implementation of a digital one-stop shop system, improving railway logistics, optimizing customs and phytosanitary procedures, and creating more efficient conditions for cross-border trade.

The third is to expand mutual investment, launch joint production facilities, and support business localization in priority sectors, including energy, mechanical engineering, agribusiness, and manufacturing.

One of the practical outcomes of the forum was the signing of a cooperation memorandum between the Uzbek company Glasfit Energy and Kazakhstan Reinforcement and Insulator Plant LLP. The document provides for the development of long-term cooperation in supplying products for high-voltage power transmission lines, expanding industrial cooperation, and increasing exports of Kazakhstani products to the Uzbek market.

As part of the business programme, the Kazakh delegation also visited several leading industrial enterprises of Uzbekistan, including Zelal Textile, ARCA Mebel, TEXNOPARK, and the CRAFERS confectionery factory. During the visits, participants reviewed production capacities and discussed opportunities for industrial cooperation, technology exchange, and joint investment projects.

The forum concluded with B2B meetings between entrepreneurs from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, providing an effective platform for identifying new partners, discussing joint initiatives, and expanding business contacts.

Following the forum, Atameken proposed establishing a permanent expert working group involving the National Chamber, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, and relevant government agencies. The proposal also includes the development of a joint roadmap to harmonize tariff, raw material, and customs mechanisms, as well as accelerate the implementation of digital services enabling seamless cross-border movement of goods.

The Uzbekistan–Kazakhstan Business Forum once again demonstrated the high level of trust between the business communities of the two countries and their commitment to translating the strategic partnership into practical results through new investment projects, joint production, long-term contracts, and sustainable industrial cooperation.