Uzbekistan and Italy are accelerating their strategic partnership, with trade between the two countries nearly tripling in recent years. This surge in economic cooperation was highlighted during the high-level talks between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, held at the Congress Center in Samarkand.
The two leaders discussed expanding multifaceted cooperation and assessed progress on agreements made during their June 2023 meeting in Rome. The surge in trade has been supported by a broader range of goods and intensified business ties.
The number of joint ventures has doubled, and leading Italian companies are now active in Uzbekistan’s metallurgy, electrical engineering, agriculture, animal husbandry, and tourism sectors. An industrial park in the Tashkent region, managed by a European operator, is also being considered to host collaborative projects in high-tech and manufacturing industries.
Cultural exchange has grown stronger as well. Uzbekistan took part in the Venice Biennale, hosted exhibitions in Florence, and held the Days of Uzbek Culture in Rome and Viareggio. On the academic front, branches of the Universities of Turin and Pisa have opened in Uzbekistan, and the second Forum of Rectors took place in Samarkand this April.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation with EU institutions and emphasized the importance of holding a results-oriented “Central Asia – Italy” summit. Plans include expanding technical assistance for businesses, launching a Certification Center in Tashkent, and finalizing an Agreement on Conformity Assessment to help Uzbek exporters access the EU market.
President Mirziyoyev proposed launching a Technological Partnership Program with Italian companies to promote innovation and local production in priority sectors such as automotive parts, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and construction materials. A joint investment fund and the involvement of Italian institutions like SACE and SIMEST are being considered to support these initiatives.
Agricultural cooperation will focus on joint research and technology transfer. Areas include viticulture, olive and saffron cultivation, biotechnology, agro-insurance, and the establishment of modern agro-laboratories.
It was agreed to resume the work of the Intergovernmental Group and organize its next meeting alongside a business forum to encourage new investment projects. The first Forum of Regions and the visit of Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana were highlighted as important steps in fostering regional ties.
In education, both sides expressed support for launching a branch of the University of Tuscia and joint degree programs with the universities of Pisa, Trento, Roma Tre, and Ca’ Foscari. The upcoming Days of Italian Culture in Uzbekistan will further strengthen people-to-people ties.
A labor migration agreement signed during the visit aims to create a framework for long-term cooperation in employment and workforce mobility.
At the end of the talks, both countries agreed to prepare a comprehensive roadmap to implement the wide-ranging agreements reached during this meeting.
Uzbek-Italian Relations
Uzbek-Italian relations, established in 1992, have steadily deepened through diplomatic, political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation. Since opening embassies in Tashkent and Rome, both countries have expanded ties with honorary consulates in Florence and Milan, fostering closer people-to-people and business connections.
High-level political dialogue remains active, highlighted by presidential visits in 2023 and frequent foreign minister meetings since 2019. Parliamentary cooperation has also strengthened, supported by intergovernmental working groups focused on trade and industry.
Trade between Uzbekistan and Italy has grown significantly, rising from $172.2mn in 2017 to nearly $438mn in 2024. In the first four months of 2025, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Italy totaled $142.8mn, marking a slight decline from $145.8mn during the same period in 2024 and $159mn in 2023. Italian investments are present in diverse sectors, including energy, agriculture, and tourism, supported by regular direct flights connecting Tashkent with Milan and Rome.
Cultural and educational exchanges thrive with branches of Italian universities in Uzbekistan, major cultural events in Italy, and active participation in international art and music festivals. Sports cooperation is also expanding, notably with kurash wrestling and football academies.
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