Uzbekistan Proposes New Areas of Cooperation with EAEU as Mutual Trade Grows
Economy
Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov outlined proposals to deepen the country’s cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union as an observer at an expanded meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council. Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with EAEU countries exceeded $20 billion last year and increased by a further 16% in the first eight months of the current year.
Aripov said Uzbekistan’s engagement with the EAEU is becoming increasingly substantive. Tashkent proposed creating a unified digital space for digital trade and joining the EAEU’s unified customs transit system.
Industrial cooperation was also highlighted as a priority. Uzbekistan proposed establishing an industrial cooperation project office in the country. In the area of green industrial transformation, it suggested selecting pilot projects in energy-intensive sectors and developing mechanisms for green financing, preferential lending and public-private partnerships.
On labour mobility, Aripov proposed linking national electronic employment services to make procedures more transparent and convenient for citizens.
Another proposal focused on tourism. Uzbekistan called for the joint creation of a “Central Asia Tourist Ring”, including the development and promotion of initial routes and tour packages.
According to Aripov, the upcoming meeting of the Uzbekistan–EAEU working group will allow the sides to review the results of the three-year joint action plan and agree on a new plan for the next period.
At the meeting, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said national currencies accounted for nearly 95% of mutual settlements among EAEU countries. He said trade turnover among the Union’s countries increased by 10% in the first half of the year, while GDP grew by more than 1%.
Mishustin also said the EAEU’s food self-sufficiency rate stands at 93%. The Union’s countries fully cover domestic demand for a number of products, including meat, sugar and milk.
Speaking about energy, the Russian prime minister said natural gas in the EAEU costs almost five times less than in Europe. “A cubic metre of gas costs $900 in Europe, while in the EAEU it is no more than $200,” Mishustin said, adding that the price difference provides economic benefits worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Industrial cooperation was also highlighted as a priority. Uzbekistan proposed establishing an industrial cooperation project office in the country. In the area of green industrial transformation, it suggested selecting pilot projects in energy-intensive sectors and developing mechanisms for green financing, preferential lending and public-private partnerships.
On labour mobility, Aripov proposed linking national electronic employment services to make procedures more transparent and convenient for citizens.
Another proposal focused on tourism. Uzbekistan called for the joint creation of a “Central Asia Tourist Ring”, including the development and promotion of initial routes and tour packages.
According to Aripov, the upcoming meeting of the Uzbekistan–EAEU working group will allow the sides to review the results of the three-year joint action plan and agree on a new plan for the next period.
At the meeting, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said national currencies accounted for nearly 95% of mutual settlements among EAEU countries. He said trade turnover among the Union’s countries increased by 10% in the first half of the year, while GDP grew by more than 1%.
Mishustin also said the EAEU’s food self-sufficiency rate stands at 93%. The Union’s countries fully cover domestic demand for a number of products, including meat, sugar and milk.
Speaking about energy, the Russian prime minister said natural gas in the EAEU costs almost five times less than in Europe. “A cubic metre of gas costs $900 in Europe, while in the EAEU it is no more than $200,” Mishustin said, adding that the price difference provides economic benefits worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
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