Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan

On September 23, the 4th Meeting of Ministers of Industry of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Member States was held in Dushanbe. The event brought together heads and deputy heads of relevant government agencies from ECO member states, the Secretary General of the Organization, as well as representatives of the CIS and UNIDO. Uzbekistan was represented by Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Khurram Teshabayev.

The ECO Meeting of Ministers of Industry was held for the first time in 20 years. The revival of this format reflects the commitment of member states to making regional cooperation more practical, with an emphasis on joint projects, investment, technology exchange, and the development of industrial linkages.

During the discussions, the Uzbek side highlighted the growing scale of economic ties within ECO. In 2025, Uzbekistan's trade turnover with ECO member states exceeded USD 14.3 billion, while in the first seven months of 2026, it increased by 20.7 percent to USD 8.9 billion. Investments from ECO member states amounted to more than USD 5.1 billion in 2025 and reached USD 4.7 billion in January–July 2026.

This positive momentum is further supported by expanding direct business contacts. More than 1,000 new enterprises with capital participation from ECO member states have been established in Uzbekistan this year, bringing their total number to nearly 7,000. This established foundation provides opportunities to shift the focus from mutual trade towards joint manufacturing and deeper investment cooperation.

To advance this agenda, Uzbekistan called for accelerating the adoption of the long-term ECO-Invest programme. The initiative envisages attracting private capital, banks, and international financial institutions to promising projects, expanding long-term industrial financing, and strengthening regional value chains.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Dushanbe Declaration on the Revival of Regional Industrial Cooperation. The document provides for the development of an ECO Regional Strategy, the introduction of artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing technologies, digitalization, and the promotion of Industry 4.0 solutions. Particular emphasis was placed on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, facilitating technology transfer, and engaging international financial institutions.

To ensure a systematic approach to these efforts, participants agreed to hold ECO Meetings of Ministers of Industry at least once every two years.