Uzbekistan sees WTO accession as key to boosting ties with Azerbaijan

Uzbekistan regards its forthcoming accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a pivotal step toward enhancing its enterprises’ access to international markets and deepening economic connectivity—particularly with Azerbaijan.

During the presentation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) report Asia SME Monitor 2025 held in Baku, Timur Khusanov, Director of the Department for Analysis, Support, and Coordination of State Policy for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses under the Uzbek Ministry of Economy and Finance, emphasized the importance of regional connectivity, infrastructure development, and WTO accession in driving sustainable growth and expanding market opportunities for Uzbek enterprises, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Khusanov noted that the consistent annual GDP growth rate of around 6% remains a key driver behind the rapid expansion of Uzbekistan’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector, providing a strong foundation for entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

“We have robust infrastructure that underpins the stability of our economy. However, connectivity remains critical for Uzbekistan — the development of roadmaps, railways, and highways, including through cooperation with Azerbaijan, is a top priority. Our main mission at the Ministry of Economy is to establish a high-quality infrastructure that enables business growth,” Khusanov emphasized.

Uzbekistan has already concluded WTO accession negotiations with several major economies, including the United States, China, and the United Kingdom.

In May 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev announced that Uzbekistan intends to finalize its accession to the World Trade Organization ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference, scheduled to take place in Cameroon in March 2026.

By Vafa Guliyeva