Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to Launch Border Trade Zone Soon
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have agreed to soon launch a border trade zone, according to Spot.uz, citing the press service of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade.
During the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Avaza on August 5-6, Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Laziz Kudratov met with Turkmenistan's Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, Nazar Agakhanov, and Minister of Industry and Construction Production, Toyguly Nurov.
The parties discussed the development of trade, economic, and transport-logistic cooperation, the expansion of industrial cooperation, and the implementation of joint projects in priority sectors.
Specifically, an agreement was reached to sign a treaty on the functioning of a border trade zone (Shavat, Khorezm region — Dashoguz, Dashoguz velayat) and its imminent launch.
The parties also agreed to approve a joint action plan to increase mutual trade to $2 billion.
The Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade also agreed with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to approve a joint medium-term partnership program. This program will include initiatives in industry, infrastructure modernization, the introduction of energy-efficient technologies, and human capital development with the involvement of international experts.
Discussions with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe focused on expanding cooperation within the framework of the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA). This includes implementing joint projects in the "green" economy, innovation, logistics, "smart" agriculture, and other areas.
The construction of the trade zone at the Shavat-Dashoguz border crossing began in October 2022. In February 2024, Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a resolution on the creation of the "Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan" free trade zone. Citizens of both countries will be able to stay in the zone for up to 15 days without a visa.
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