Tashkent, Washington sign memorandum to expand trade, investments

TASHKENT. June 9 (Interfax) - Uzbek Investment, Industry and Trade Minister Laziz Kudratov and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce David Fogel have discussed broader trade and economic cooperation, the press service for the Uzbek Investment, Industry and Trade Ministry said on Tuesday.

"The sides discussed the state and prospects of expanding bilateral trade, economic, investment and industrial cooperation," the press service said.

The United States remains one of Uzbekistan's key partners: bilateral trade topped $1 billion in 2025, it said.

The sides focused on joint investment projects and cooperation in energy, extracting industries, transport, agriculture, finance and digital technologies. They also considered a possible expansion of cooperation in innovations, artificial intelligence and telecommunications, the press service said.

After the talks, the Uzbek Investment, Industry and Trade Ministry and the U.S. Commercial Service signed a memorandum on mutual understanding to support regional business delegations, interregional relations, and broader business contacts.

The sides reaffirmed their mutual interest in strengthening strategic partnership and implementing new joint initiatives, the press service said.

An Uzbek-U.S. business forum attended by leading U.S. companies and financial institutions took place on the sidelines of the Tashkent International Investment Forum on June 16.