Georgian PM, Uzbek President discuss expanding practical cooperation in political, trade, economic, investment spheres

Expanding practical cooperation in the political, trade, economic, investment, transport, transit, tourism, cultural, and humanitarian spheres was discussed in a meeting between Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

According to the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan, Mirziyoyev noted that his current state visit to Georgia, the first by a President of Uzbekistan in more than two decades, holds special significance for elevating Uzbek-Georgian relations to a new qualitative level.

The officials expressed satisfaction with the growing momentum of bilateral contacts at all levels and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing active intergovernmental, inter-parliamentary, business, cultural, and humanitarian exchanges.

Bilateral trade reached $270 million last year and has exceeded $100 million since the beginning of this year.

The parties agreed to adopt a dedicated roadmap to increase this figure to $1 billion in the coming years, eliminate the trade imbalance, and expand mutual supplies of in-demand products through reciprocal industrial exhibitions.

The talks also focused on strengthening transport and transit connectivity and creating favorable conditions for unlocking the full potential of cooperation in this important area.

The leaders also discussed expanding the use of the infrastructure of the ports of Poti and Batumi for the transportation of domestic cargo. They supported plans to establish a logistics hub, including an industrial zone and a showroom for Uzbek products.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed the launch of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway corridor and proposed exploring its integration with the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which is currently under development.

Industrial cooperation was identified as a key priority of the bilateral partnership. The leaders highly commended the outcomes of the joint business forum held the previous day, which resulted in the signing of a Cooperation Program until 2027.

The parties agreed to implement new joint projects in agriculture, electrical engineering, energy, pharmaceuticals, food processing, light industry, construction materials, digitalization, IT, digital banking, and tourism. To support these initiatives, they proposed establishing a joint Investment Fund.

Cultural and humanitarian ties also continue to expand. In March, the Days of Georgian Culture were successfully held in Tashkent.

Mirziyoyev expressed appreciation to the Georgian side for the decision to name one of the parks in Tbilisi after the great Uzbek poet Alisher Navoi.

Joint educational and tourism forums are scheduled to be held in Uzbekistan this year.

The parties also agreed to establish the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Georgia.

Following the talks, a joint roadmap will be prepared to implement the agreements reached.