The UK-Uzbekistan partnership has reached new heights in recent years, driven by deepening cooperation in education, trade, and governance. UK Ambassador to Uzbekistan Timothy Smart highlighted this progress during the interview with Daryo, emphasizing that the bond between the two nations is not just about policies but about people.
Our relationship has strengthened considerably since 2016, with full support for the president's New Uzbekistan reform agenda. This initiative has fostered cooperation, partnerships, and friendships across various sectors. At its core, much of this progress is driven by human-to-human connections, he stated.
Expanding Educational Collaboration
Education is a key pillar of UK-Uzbekistan cooperation, with over 30 British universities actively engaged in Uzbekistan, either through direct collaboration or full franchise agreements. Ambassador Smart highlighted the impact:
This is huge—it's the largest presence in Central Asia and reflects Uzbekistan’s strong focus on English-language education and job market access. It all began over 20 years ago with the establishment of Westminster International University, and today we see thousands of Uzbekistan's graduates who studied in the UK leading in government, business, culture, and cinematography. They are now shaping future partnerships.
Beyond higher education, the UK supports governance programs and economic reforms in Uzbekistan, further strengthening institutional capacity.
In 2024, Uzbekistan witnessed an unprecedented fivefold increase in the number of students successfully passing the IELTS exam. This surge was not merely a statistical anomaly but a reflection of the country's expanding global ambitions and deepening educational ties with the United Kingdom, envoy stated:
English is the language of international business, Ambassador explained. Mastering it opens doors to global opportunities.
Investment and Economic Partnerships
The UK plays a crucial role in Uzbekistan’s economic transformation by facilitating financial access and market expertise. Ambassador Smart noted London’s importance as a global financial hub:
One of my biggest offers as the British ambassador is to help with governance programs. A crucial area of support is access to capital markets, particularly in London. If Uzbekistan needs infrastructure reform, green finance, or investments in education, the London capital markets provide great access. We ensure that Uzbekistan's state-owned banks are connected with UK financial institutions to build those commercial relationships.
Since 2022, the UK’s Department of Business and Trade (DBT) has been operational in Uzbekistan, enhancing commercial cooperation. The first UK-Uzbekistan Joint Economic Commission is scheduled for March 26 in London, with priority sectors including financial services, infrastructure, energy, transport, and digital technologies:
We work closely with Uzbek counterparts in various ministries to support the country’s economic reform program. Whether it’s SME reforms, WTO accession, or infrastructure investment, we bring expertise and partnerships to facilitate growth.
The UK is committed to sustainable development in Uzbekistan through the Green Inclusive Growth Fund, valued at £18mn across Central Asia. This initiative provides private financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) working on green technologies, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability.
Climate change affects us all, and we recognize the need for cleaner energy solutions. This fund helps Uzbekistan's businesses access financing for green projects, ensuring sustainable economic growth. It's a niche area where we’ve listened to local needs and responded with targeted support.
A crucial step toward deeper economic cooperation is the establishment of the British-Uzbek Chamber of Commerce. Ambassador Smart highlighted ongoing efforts to create a structured platform for business engagement:
I was very pleased to see that the British Uzbek Society in the UK has a new chair. My counterpart, Ambassador Usmanov, has been working with Viscount Waverley to establish a formal structure that will strengthen business-to-business contacts in the UK. On our side, we are actively exploring ways to support the private sector in developing a chamber of commerce in Uzbekistan.
There is already Europe-Uzbekistan Association for Economic Cooperation (EUROUZ), where British companies are involved, but we are discussing whether a dedicated sub-chapter would be beneficial. The goal is to ensure businesses can discuss challenges, address market access issues, and advocate for their interests with both the British and Uzbek governments.
The UK has pledged £4bn in export financing for Uzbekistan's projects, reinforcing its long-term commitment to economic cooperation. Ambassador Smart underscored the significance of this funding:
Trade between the UK and Uzbekistan has grown from about $200mn in 2019 to nearly half a billion dollars in 2023. As we assessed the opportunities here, we saw consistent economic growth—over 5% annually since 2016. To support infrastructure reforms, UK Export Finance (UKEF) introduced a £4bn loan guarantee scheme. This lowers lending rates and provides sovereign guarantees, making financing more accessible for large-scale projects.
Beyond export financing, the UK is committed to facilitating greater Uzbekistan's access to global capital markets. Ambassador Smart explained:
Financial services are one of the UK’s strongest offerings, providing billions of pounds in access to international markets. While Uzbekistan naturally engages with financial hubs in the Gulf and elsewhere, London remains a highly competitive and attractive option. We are encouraged to see initial public offerings (IPOs) planned for the London Stock Exchange and bond issuances worth billions of dollars. However, we want to expand this cooperation further.
Uzbekistan’s WTO Aspirations and the UK’s Role in Economic Integration
Uzbekistan's pursuit of World Trade Organization (WTO) membership has gained momentum, with significant progress made in negotiations. The UK has been a steadfast supporter of this process, recognizing its importance for the country's economic transformation and global market integration.
We're really impressed by even in the eighteen months since I've been here how the capacity of the negotiating team has really improved. The president has this ambitious agenda of 2026 to get it done. We want to support that as much as possible.
To facilitate this transition, the UK has been actively engaging in capacity-building initiatives, working closely with Uzbek negotiators and providing technical expertise.
The UK's envoy noted that the country's departure from the European Union has reshaped its trade policies, creating new opportunities for Uzbekistan's businesses. Ambassador Smart emphasized that Brexit has allowed the UK to establish stronger bilateral trade agreements:
One of the key drivers of Brexit was to allow us to trade more freely with global partners, and that has been a huge opportunity for our relationship with Uzbekistan. We have expanded our Department of Business and Trade team, bringing in expertise to facilitate business contacts and government cooperation. Market access for Uzbek companies remains a priority, and the process for doing business in the UK is largely unchanged.
While Brexit has streamlined trade processes, awareness remains a key challenge:
One of the challenges I always face both ways is just awareness of the systems in place. We have online portals and platforms to support businesses, helping them understand visa requirements and necessary paperwork. Uzbekistan was the first country in the region to benefit from the enhanced Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), which removed tariffs on over 7,000 Uzbekistan's goods entering the UK—something that wouldn’t have been possible pre-Brexit. This presents a real advantage for Uzbekistan's businesses trading with the UK.
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