Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan sign $172 million worth of agreements

Kazakh and Uzbek businesses signed agreements worth a combined $172 million during the inaugural meeting of the Council of Heads of Border Regions of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, held in the Kazakh city of Aktau.

The event was attended by Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, his Uzbek counterpart Abdulla Aripov, and more than 300 business representatives from the two countries, Caliber.Az reports, citing Kazakh media.

Bektenov highlighted the importance of launching the Central Asia International Centre for Industrial Cooperation and pointed to the growth potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor).

According to Bektenov, 8 million tonnes of cargo were transported through the ports of Aktau and Kuryk in 2025. In January–June 2026, container traffic increased by 5%, surpassing 50,000 TEUs.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan share a 2,300-kilometre state border.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov