Translated with AI
The first meeting of the Council of Ministers of Trade and Investment of Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan took place in Tashkent on November 13. One of the key topics of the meeting was the discussion of measures to create a unified "Made in Central Asia" brand, according to the press service of the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade (MIIT) of Uzbekistan.
The meeting discussed comprehensive measures to develop mutual trade and industrial integration between the region's countries. Particular attention was paid to creating operational tools to increase trade turnover to $20 billion, establishing joint production sites under the unified "Made in Central Asia" brand, and attracting international financial institutions and major investors to implement joint infrastructure and industrial projects.
Meeting participants noted the steady growth of mutual trade between Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries. Trade turnover with Kazakhstan is approaching $4 billion, with Kyrgyzstan it's approaching $700 million, with Tajikistan it's exceeded $570 million, and with Turkmenistan it has more than doubled over the past five years to $1.15 billion. Trade turnover with Azerbaijan has grown by 13% since the beginning of the year.
According to the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, trade turnover with Central Asia increased by 58% in the first nine months of 2025 and exceeded one billion dollars.
The meeting discussed the need to further optimize customs and border procedures, synchronize transport and logistics infrastructure, and create industrial hubs capable of uniting production chains across the region's countries. Particular attention was paid to industrial cooperation, the joint development of raw materials and technological potential, and the development of high-value-added finished goods exports.
Following the meeting, a joint communiqué was signed, which set out key agreements on deepening economic cooperation, developing collaboration and joint ventures, and creating new mechanisms for investment interaction.
The event was attended by Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan; Arman Shakkaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan; Zavki Zavkizoda, Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan; Nazar Agakhanov, Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan; Elnur Aliyev, First Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan; and Duishonkul Chotonov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan.
