Mikhail Mishustin and Abdulla Aripov
On September 9, 2024, Tashkent hosted a joint commission meeting at the level of prime ministers of Uzbekistan and Russia. The meeting covered a wide range of issues, from major economic projects to partnerships in the humanitarian sphere.
The head of the Uzbekistan government thanked his Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin for the visit, noting that the countries continue active cooperation. According to Aripov, over the past seven years, mutual trade turnover has increased 2.5 times. Last year, the figure exceeded $10 billion, and in the first seven months of 2024, it increased by another 30%. The Uzbek politician emphasized that there is also growth in the supply of high value-added products. He reminded Mishustin that the presidents of both countries have set a goal to bring trade turnover to $30 billion in the near future.
«The Russian Federation remains our key foreign economic and one of the largest investment partners,» Aripov stated. The Prime Minister noted that over three thousand joint ventures operate in Uzbekistan, and the project portfolio has exceeded $60 billion. The parties actively cooperate in mining and metallurgy, energy, chemical, agricultural, textile industries, as well as in digitalization and artificial intelligence.
Partnership in transport is developing rapidly, with new corridors being developed that will allow both countries to expand markets for their goods.
The frequency of direct flights is about 300 flights per week. Uzbekistan doesn't have such an indicator with any other country, Aripov emphasized.
He also highlighted the increase in tourist flow, specifying that last year a record was set — more than 700 thousand Russians visited the republic.
Mishustin, in turn, thanked his colleague for the hospitality, adding that the countries actively cooperate at various levels, including regional interaction. The Russian Prime Minister provided his own statistics on trade turnover. According to this data, in 2023, trade volumes reached 820 billion rubles, and in the first half of 2024, the indicator grew by almost 9%.
According to the high-ranking guest, the countries will continue partnerships in many areas, including investment. As an example, he cited work on peaceful atom with the state corporation «Rosatom,» and the presence of major Russian retailers in Uzbekistan, particularly those developing e-commerce.
The head of the Russian government said that the parties are exploring the possibility of organizing joint production of polymers, localizing the production of civilian unmanned aerial systems and their components.
«A principal decision has been made to create production capacities in the field of railway engineering in Uzbekistan,» Mishustin summarized.
The Prime Minister confirmed the increase in mutual tourist flow. According to his data, last year the figure doubled — to 1.2 million people. And in the first half of the year, it added another 12%. According to the politician's forecasts, the positive dynamics will continue due to the Year of Uzbekistan Tourism in Russia and the resumption of railway communication between Tashkent and Moscow.
At the meeting between Aripov and Mishustin, the following were signed:
✅ Joint communiqué on the results of the fifth meeting of the Joint Commission at the level of heads of government of Russia and Uzbekistan;
✅ Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on cooperation in the implementation of the «Agroexpress» accelerated rail transport project.
✅ Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on information interaction for the transfer of information on marking codes for medicinal products (medicines) for medical use.
✅ Protocol of intent between the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of training, retraining and advanced training of medical personnel.
