Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov held a meeting of the Joint Commission at the level of heads of government in Moscow, as to the Russian government press service on April 13.
During the meeting, Mishustin reported that mutual trade turnover between the two countries increased by nearly 12.5% in 2025, approaching RUB. 1 trillion (approximately $13bn). He stated that existing conditions provide a basis for increasing bilateral trade volumes to $30bn.
Energy cooperation was identified by the Russian side as a key area for further development. In this context, the start of practical work on the construction site of a Russian-designed integrated nuclear power plant in the Jizzakh region was noted. Cooperation in the fuel sector is also continuing, with agreements reached to maintain and expand supplies of Russian oil and natural gas. Russian specialists are involved in drilling new wells and modernizing gas processing systems and transportation infrastructure in Uzbekistan.
Mishustin stated that approximately 150 joint projects valued at more than RUB 4 trillion (around $52.46bn at the Bank of Russia exchange rate) are currently being implemented in Uzbekistan with the participation of Russian investors. These projects span sectors including light industry, chemicals, mining, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, logistics, trade, infrastructure, and digital technologies.
He also noted that, with support from Russian companies and financial institutions, the third copper processing plant at the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Plant has been launched. Preparations are underway for the launch and construction of a fourth copper processing facility.
In addition, cooperation is ongoing in the development of a railway equipment manufacturing cluster in Uzbekistan. This includes the production of passenger railcars, electric and diesel locomotives, and the supply of rolling stock for the Tashkent Metro system.
Industrial cooperation also includes the operation of two industrial parks with Russian participation located in Chirchik and Jizzakh. Mishustin stated that expanding the network of such technology parks would create additional opportunities for joint industrial production and project implementation.
Aripov reported that more than 3,200 enterprises with Russian capital are currently operating in Uzbekistan, with a total project portfolio estimated at nearly $44bn. He stated that by 2025, Uzbekistan is expected to have attracted approximately $5bn in Russian investment.
According to Aripov, joint projects are being actively implemented in sectors including mining and metallurgy, energy, chemicals, agriculture, textiles, electrical engineering, and digital technologies, including artificial intelligence. He cited the launch of the third copper processing plant at the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Plant and preparations for the fourth facility as examples of ongoing cooperation, along with the modernization of rolling stock for the Tashkent Metro.
Aripov stated that the priority is to sustain growth in trade and investment while advancing major infrastructure and industrial projects and expanding technological cooperation. He also noted that the introduction of digital technologies in transport and logistics, along with the development of new international transport corridors, is expected to support access to additional markets for both countries.
