Trade between Bulgaria and Uzbekistan in 2024 recorded a 12% increase compared to the previous year, yet significant untapped potential remains. This was highlighted during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Nevena Lazarova and the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Laziz Kudratov, who is on an official visit to Bulgaria.
“Bulgaria and Uzbekistan have established sound external economic relations based on traditional partnership and a shared aspiration for comprehensive, long-term, and mutually beneficial cooperation,” stated Deputy Minister Lazarova. She emphasised the potential for deepening collaboration in several sectors, including digitalisation, environmental protection, energy, infrastructure, the food and beverage industry, among others.
During the meeting, it was noted that there are opportunities for cooperation, inter-company partnerships, and the implementation of joint initiatives and projects in priority areas. “We are ready to work towards encouraging the participation of companies from both countries in specialised exhibitions in Bulgaria and Uzbekistan, as well as organising business meetings,” she added.
The Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Laziz Kudratov, highlighted his country’s efforts to attract foreign investors. According to him, businesses from both countries could successfully cooperate in the defence industry, infrastructure, road construction, transport logistics, and in establishing partnerships between the industrial zones of the two countries, among other areas.
The possibility of organising a business forum and the preparation for the upcoming session of the Bulgarian-Uzbek Intergovernmental Commission for Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, scheduled for October, was also discussed during the meeting.
In conclusion, Deputy Minister Lazarova reaffirmed that the Ministry of Economy and Industry will continue to support the implementation of joint investment projects. “In this regard, investors may receive assistance both from the Ministry and from the National Company Industrial Zones,” she added.