Baku, June 21, 2025 – The Europe Today: The 3rd Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan Interregional Forum was convened in Baku, bringing together high-level government officials and business leaders from both countries to explore new avenues of cooperation. The event was held with the support of the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, and was organized by the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO).
Representatives from a range of sectors, including industry, energy, agriculture, logistics, pharmaceuticals, food production, tourism, and consulting, participated in the forum, which served as a vital platform for enhancing bilateral cooperation.
In his opening remarks, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov highlighted the significance of the Treaty on Allied Relations signed between the two countries’ leaders last year, which he said had further deepened bilateral ties. He described the interregional forums as effective mechanisms to advance cooperation across multiple fields.
“Many of the joint projects initiated during the meeting of the heads of state with entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan last year are now being implemented in various regions of our countries,” Minister Jabbarov stated. “These projects contribute to the balanced regional development and serve to intensify economic partnership.”
He reported that trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan surpassed $200 million in the first five months of 2025, with ongoing efforts to enhance exports, promote joint investment, and expand direct business contacts. He also noted plans to open a Trade Representative Office of Azerbaijan in Uzbekistan to facilitate deeper commercial ties.
The minister further emphasized the broad potential for collaboration in areas such as trade, industry, investment, transport, energy, and transit, as well as opportunities for joint ventures in the Alat Free Economic Zone and the recently liberated territories of Azerbaijan.
Uzbek Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, echoed these sentiments, commending the growing Azerbaijani–Uzbek economic partnership and outlining pathways for increased joint investment and business engagement between the two nations’ private sectors.
Key participants in the forum included AZPROMO Executive Director Yusif Abdullayev, Chairman of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA) Orkhan Mammadov, and First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Uzkimyosanoat JSC Evgeniy Korzhikov. They shared insights on the investment climate and outlined opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
Additionally, Deputy Governor of Uzbekistan’s Fergana Region, Nuriddin Mamajonov, presented the region’s economic strengths and potential areas for collaboration with Azerbaijani counterparts.
The forum concluded with a series of B2B (business-to-business) and B2G (business-to-government) meetings aimed at translating dialogue into actionable partnerships.
