Amid bustling activity at the IV Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF-2025), Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, led a series of strategic meetings and signed major agreements with international partners, paving the way for billions in investment and deeper regional cooperation.
In a bilateral meeting with Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, industry, agriculture, transport, and logistics.
The talks concluded with the signing of two key documents: a Preferential Trade Agreement and a Cooperation Program in Trade, Economic, and Industrial Spheres for 2025–2026. These agreements are expected to boost trade flows and promote industrial collaboration between the two countries.
Minister Kudratov also met with Nobumitsu Hayashi, Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). JBIC was acknowledged as a strategic partner in supporting Uzbekistan’s private sector development. The joint portfolio between Uzbekistan and JBIC has reached $3.7bn, covering sectors such as energy, telecommunications, petrochemicals, and infrastructure. The discussion focused on expanding public-private partnerships and increasing non-sovereign financing, with participation from leading Japanese companies including Toyota Tsusho, NEC, and Sumitomo.
During the talks, JBIC confirmed its interest in supporting major infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan. This includes the construction of solar and wind power plants in the Samarkand and Karakalpakstan regions, and the development of an 800-bed multidisciplinary hospital in Samarkand in partnership with Sojitz Corporation. The hospital project is estimated at $250mn.
Another important development was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and the OPEC Fund for International Development. The agreement, totaling $500mn, aims to support Uzbekistan’s private sector from 2025 to 2030. Since the beginning of cooperation, 16 projects worth $374.95mn have already been implemented, with another 8 projects worth $292.41mn currently underway.
In addition to these developments, special attention was given to the tourism sector. An agreement was signed with Azerbaijani company Agalarov Development for the construction of a major all-season resort, Sea Breeze Uzbekistan, in the Bostanlyk district of the Tashkent region.
The total cost of the project is $5bn, with 577 hectares designated for development, including 100 hectares in the first phase. The project is expected to significantly contribute to the development of tourism infrastructure, create jobs, and attract international visitors. Both parties emphasized their commitment to timely and high-quality implementation, while also expressing interest in expanding further cooperation.
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