Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan forum set for August 2026—official

The next Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan interregional forum is expected to take place in August 2026, Uzbek officials confirmed.

Speaking at the Uzbekistan–Azerbaijan Forum of Industrial and Economic Zones, Sahib Saifnazarov, head of the Department of Free Economic Zones at the Uzbek Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade, said the two countries were continuing to deepen economic cooperation, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

He noted that the foundations of bilateral economic relations were laid in 1995, while an Intergovernmental Commission on cooperation has been operating since 1998.

Saifnazarov emphasized that initiatives undertaken by the leadership of both countries have contributed to the steady expansion of economic ties. He added that 367 enterprises with Azerbaijani capital are currently operating in Uzbekistan.

“Trade turnover between our countries is also growing. In 2025, it increased by 15%, and in the first four months of this year it has already grown by nearly 49%,” he said.

The official also highlighted Uzbekistan’s ongoing development of special economic zones (SEZs). Although legislation on SEZs was adopted in 1996, the first such zone only became operational in 2008.

He added that a revised law on special economic zones has been prepared with the involvement of international experts and is currently being coordinated with relevant ministries and agencies.

Saifnazarov expressed confidence that further improvements to the legislative framework would support the continued development of economic zones, noting that Uzbekistan could also benefit from Azerbaijan’s experience in this area.

By  Vafa Guliyeva