Supported by the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, and jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) and the Uzbekistan Foreign Investment Attraction Agency, the forum brought together around 300 entrepreneurs from both countries. Participants represented various sectors, including construction, industry, agriculture, automotive, transport and logistics, healthcare, tourism, and others.
The forum featured speeches by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade, Laziz Kudratov.
The speakers emphasized the importance of enhancing economic cooperation between the two nations. It was noted that the official visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Uzbekistan would further strengthen bilateral partnerships. The significance of joint business events in identifying new projects and cooperation areas, as well as successfully implementing initiatives, was also highlighted.
Mutual trade and economic relations between the two countries continue to develop, with trade turnover growing dynamically. Investment cooperation with Uzbekistan is multifaceted. Under the joint Roadmap for expanding trade, economic, and investment cooperation for 2024-2025, projects in agriculture, tourism, construction, pharmaceuticals, and the automotive industry are planned. The role of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Company, with a charter capital of $500 million, was particularly noted. It was mentioned that the company is currently analyzing the financing of 15 joint projects, and entrepreneurs were encouraged to take advantage of the investment opportunities.
Successful collaboration between the two countries in regional transport and energy initiatives was also highlighted. The importance of exporting “green” energy from Central Asia to Europe via Azerbaijan was underlined.
The forum included presentations on the favorable investment and business environment in Azerbaijan, particularly in the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions.
Speakers at the event included AZPROMO’s Executive Director Yusif Abdullayev, CEO of Businesstex Nodir Pulatov, CEO of Iticket Azerbaijan Kamran Abbasov, and Commercial Director of Bazalt Uzbekistan Timur Mamadaminov, who discussed ongoing joint projects and bilateral investment prospects. CEO of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Company Nazim Hajiev spoke about mutual investment opportunities, while Honorary Consul of Uzbekistan in Azerbaijan Kanan Jalilov discussed expanding trade and economic partnerships.
A video highlighting Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations was shown during the forum. The event also featured the exchange of signed cooperation documents in areas such as energy, education, logistics, construction, enhancing connections between Baku and Tashkent, and establishing sister city relations between Jizzakh (Uzbekistan) and Guba (Azerbaijan), as well as Shakhrisabz (Uzbekistan) and Beylagan (Azerbaijan). The forum concluded with B2B meetings.