Marco Rubio in Samarkand: US Sees Potential for Billions of Dollars in Deals
Uzbekistan
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Samarkand’s historic Registan Square during his first trip to Central Asia. He said upcoming C5+1 talks and meetings with business representatives could create opportunities for agreements worth billions of dollars.
The US delegation is accompanied by Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, and Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. Speaking to journalists at Registan, Rubio highlighted Samarkand’s historic role in international trade and the United States’ interest in strengthening economic ties with the region.
“For centuries, this place has been a crossroads of trade routes. Global trade passed through here,” the secretary of state said. According to Rubio, representatives of nearly 300 American companies have joined the business programme and C5+1 forum. “As a result of these meetings, we have an opportunity to sign agreements worth billions of dollars that will bring economic benefits to both the countries of the region and the United States,” he said.
Rubio added that Washington wants to be a reliable partner for Central Asia, particularly Uzbekistan, and to expand trade and business ties. He said bilateral relations were defined by opportunities and shared prosperity rather than conflicts. Rubio also said President Donald Trump was interested in visiting Uzbekistan if suitable dates could be arranged. According to the secretary of state, the sides could work on scheduling such a visit in the coming year.
The programme in Samarkand includes a meeting of foreign ministers from the United States and Central Asian countries in the C5+1 format, the second meeting of the US-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council, and the first round of the Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue between Rubio and Saidov.
The business programme covers six sectors: digital technologies; education and healthcare; mineral resources; energy and transport; agriculture and textiles; and finance and investment. Direct B2B and B2G talks are also planned to discuss projects, implementation terms and financing sources.
“For centuries, this place has been a crossroads of trade routes. Global trade passed through here,” the secretary of state said. According to Rubio, representatives of nearly 300 American companies have joined the business programme and C5+1 forum. “As a result of these meetings, we have an opportunity to sign agreements worth billions of dollars that will bring economic benefits to both the countries of the region and the United States,” he said.
Rubio added that Washington wants to be a reliable partner for Central Asia, particularly Uzbekistan, and to expand trade and business ties. He said bilateral relations were defined by opportunities and shared prosperity rather than conflicts. Rubio also said President Donald Trump was interested in visiting Uzbekistan if suitable dates could be arranged. According to the secretary of state, the sides could work on scheduling such a visit in the coming year.
The programme in Samarkand includes a meeting of foreign ministers from the United States and Central Asian countries in the C5+1 format, the second meeting of the US-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council, and the first round of the Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue between Rubio and Saidov.
The business programme covers six sectors: digital technologies; education and healthcare; mineral resources; energy and transport; agriculture and textiles; and finance and investment. Direct B2B and B2G talks are also planned to discuss projects, implementation terms and financing sources.
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