ISLAMABAD, Sep 29 (APP):Uzbekistan is strengthening its engagement with the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) as it seeks to expand exports, improve transport connectivity and attract investment from key markets across Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. The Seventh CICA Summit is scheduled to take place in Baku on October 15, 2026, during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, which has identified connectivity, digitalization and sustainable growth among …
Uzbekistan turns to CICA to expand trade, transport, investment links
ISLAMABAD, Sep 29 (APP):Uzbekistan is strengthening its engagement with the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) as it seeks to expand exports, improve transport connectivity and attract investment from key markets across Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The Seventh CICA Summit is scheduled to take place in Baku on October 15, 2026, during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, which has identified connectivity, digitalization and sustainable growth among its priorities.
CICA’s 28 member states include several of Uzbekistan’s major trading partners. In the first half of 2026, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Türkiye and Afghanistan together accounted for approximately 53 percent of Uzbekistan’s total foreign trade turnover, said a release issued here on Tuesday.
For Uzbekistan, CICA provides a multilateral platform that complements established bilateral relationships, particularly in areas where transport routes, investment projects and supply chains require cooperation among several countries.
On trade and investment ties, cooperation with CIS countries remains an important part of Uzbekistan’s foreign economic relations and trade turnover with Commonwealth countries increased from $11.8 billion in 2020 to $28.1 billion in 2025.
In January–July 2026, trade turnover reached $18.3 billion, representing a growth rate of 122.7 percent.
Meanwhile, as of early August, around 5,800 enterprises with capital participation from Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan were operating in Uzbekistan.
The figures highlight the growing importance of regional markets and investment partnerships as Uzbekistan seeks to diversify exports and expand industrial cooperation.
On expanding transport connectivity, reliable and diversified transport corridors are central to Uzbekistan’s efforts to reach international markets.
At the 2022 CICA Summit in Astana, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev identified the development of production and logistics links between Central Asia and South and East Asia, as well as the Middle East, as key economic priorities.
These priorities were further addressed at the Second Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia in June 2026. The event, held with the participation of the CICA Secretariat, brought together representatives of 17 CICA member states.
Discussions focused on multimodal transport routes and digital logistics. Participants also visited the Termez Cargo Terminal and the Ayritom International Trade Center, facilities supporting freight movement and trade between the regions.
Links with ports in the Caspian region provide an additional connection between Uzbekistan’s overland transport network and international maritime routes. A September conference of heads of ports from CICA member states in Baku focused on coordination between maritime, rail and road transportation, cargo handling and cooperation among operators.
On digital and industrial Cooperation, the transport connectivity is closely linked to efforts within the CIS to harmonize technical requirements, recognize conformity assessment results and reduce non-tariff barriers. Electronic document management can also help shorten cargo clearance and control procedures.
At the same time, direct links between regions and businesses are opening opportunities for joint projects involving technology transfer, industrial automation and the development of new materials. These issues were among the priorities of the First CIS Forum of Regions, held in Tashkent in 2025.
The CICA Business Council provides another platform for business associations to develop partnerships, while the CIS Innovative Industry Forum, held in Tashkent in April 2026, focused on artificial intelligence and cooperation between science and industry.
For small and medium-sized enterprises, participation in regional value chains could create opportunities to supply components and specialized services to larger industrial producers.
On financing new projects, the investment and infrastructure projects also require coordinated access to finance and the first CICA Financial Summit, held in Astana on September 8, 2026, addressed development finance, investment cooperation and digital solutions.
For Uzbekistan, such multilateral platforms offer opportunities to present projects in logistics, energy and industry to potential investors and discuss financing and implementation conditions.
Through CICA and CIS mechanisms, Uzbekistan is seeking to build on existing partnerships while opening new markets, strengthening regional supply chains and attracting investment into productive sectors. The longer-term objective is to support new production facilities, secure export contracts and increase the value added generated within the country.
Uzbekistan turns to CICA to expand trade, transport, investment links, Uzbekistan is strengthening its engagement with the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) as it seeks to expand exports, improve transport connectivity and attract investment from key markets across Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The Seventh CICA Summit is scheduled to take place in Baku on October 15, 2026, during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, which has identified connectivity, digitalization and sustainable growth among its priorities.
CICA’s 28 member states include several of Uzbekistan’s major trading partners. In the first half of 2026, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Türkiye and Afghanistan together accounted for approximately 53 percent of Uzbekistan’s total foreign trade turnover.
For Uzbekistan, CICA provides a multilateral platform that complements established bilateral relationships, particularly in areas where transport routes, investment projects and supply chains require cooperation among several countries.
On trade and investment ties, cooperation with CIS countries remains an important part of Uzbekistan’s foreign economic relations and trade turnover with Commonwealth countries increased from $11.8 billion in 2020 to $28.1 billion in 2025.
In January–July 2026, trade turnover reached $18.3 billion, representing a growth rate of 122.7 percent.
Meanwhile, as of early August, around 5,800 enterprises with capital participation from Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan were operating in Uzbekistan.
The figures highlight the growing importance of regional markets and investment partnerships as Uzbekistan seeks to diversify exports and expand industrial cooperation.
On expanding transport connectivity, reliable and diversified transport corridors are central to Uzbekistan’s efforts to reach international markets.
At the 2022 CICA Summit in Astana, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev identified the development of production and logistics links between Central Asia and South and East Asia, as well as the Middle East, as key economic priorities.
These priorities were further addressed at the Second Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia in June 2026. The event, held with the participation of the CICA Secretariat, brought together representatives of 17 CICA member states.
Discussions focused on multimodal transport routes and digital logistics. Participants also visited the Termez Cargo Terminal and the Ayritom International Trade Center, facilities supporting freight movement and trade between the regions.
Links with ports in the Caspian region provide an additional connection between Uzbekistan’s overland transport network and international maritime routes. A September conference of heads of ports from CICA member states in Baku focused on coordination between maritime, rail and road transportation, cargo handling and cooperation among operators.
On digital and industrial Cooperation, the transport connectivity is closely linked to efforts within the CIS to harmonize technical requirements, recognize conformity assessment results and reduce non-tariff barriers. Electronic document management can also help shorten cargo clearance and control procedures.
At the same time, direct links between regions and businesses are opening opportunities for joint projects involving technology transfer, industrial automation and the development of new materials. These issues were among the priorities of the First CIS Forum of Regions, held in Tashkent in 2025.
The CICA Business Council provides another platform for business associations to develop partnerships, while the CIS Innovative Industry Forum, held in Tashkent in April 2026, focused on artificial intelligence and cooperation between science and industry.
For small and medium-sized enterprises, participation in regional value chains could create opportunities to supply components and specialized services to larger industrial producers.
On financing new projects, the investment and infrastructure projects also require coordinated access to finance and the first CICA Financial Summit, held in Astana on September 8, 2026, addressed development finance, investment cooperation and digital solutions.
For Uzbekistan, such multilateral platforms offer opportunities to present projects in logistics, energy and industry to potential investors and discuss financing and implementation conditions.
Through CICA and CIS mechanisms, Uzbekistan is seeking to build on existing partnerships while opening new markets, strengthening regional supply chains and attracting investment into productive sectors. The longer-term objective is to support new production facilities, secure export contracts and increase the value added generated within the country.
