Representatives from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade joined a roundtable discussion in Washington, D.C. with leaders from major U.S. companies including CNH Industrial, Abbott, Medtronic, Cintana, HP, Caterpillar, Coca-Cola, Sierra Nevada Corporation, John Deere, Boeing, The Stirling Foundation, Cove Capital, Bridge Capital Group, and Stantec Inc., all of which have significant operations in Uzbekistan.

The event was also attended by officials from the White House, U.S. State Department, Department of Commerce, and the CLDP Program. Key speakers included Abdulla Khashimov, Advisor to the Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade; M. Madrahimov, Deputy Foreign Minister; and F. Siddikov, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to the U.S., alongside representatives from the American delegation.

M. Pommersheim, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, commended the recent fourth round of the Uzbek-American Strategic Partnership Dialogue, held in Washington, D.C. on November 13. This round involved key representatives from both governments, including officials from the National Security Council, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, USAID, and relevant agencies, as well as U.S. State Department leadership.

During the discussions, both parties agreed to elevate this format into an expanded strategic partnership dialogue to foster greater collaboration between private sector stakeholders, diversify trade, and enhance investment cooperation between the U.S. and Uzbekistan.

S. Nadine, President of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce and CNH Industrial executive, highlighted that CNH Industrial is one of Uzbekistan's longest-standing investors, having entered the market in the early 1990s. “Over the years, four joint ventures were created, and this year, thanks to Uzbekistan’s economic liberalization reforms, we successfully privatized and fully modernized them,” he remarked.

M. Edwards, Director at the U.S. Department of Commerce, praised the reforms underway in Uzbekistan, noting how they open new pathways for deepening the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Uzbekistan.

Significant attention was also given to the successful participation of the Uzbek delegation at the Mine Expo in Las Vegas, with the U.S. Department of Commerce planning an additional trade mission to Uzbekistan soon.

B. Todd, White House representative, emphasized the importance of strengthening the expanded U.S.-Uzbek strategic partnership, underscoring the critical role of cooperation between private enterprises and government bodies.

J. Kuhn, Apple’s Director of Global Strategic Alliances, underscored key issues surrounding digital platform regulation and engagement with the Uzbek government, commending the government’s systematic and comprehensive approach to these matters.

The roundtable concluded with an agreement to hold the next Uzbek-American business forum in Uzbekistan and to develop new investment projects with leading American corporations.