G20 and Uzbekistan: Investment, Industry and Trade in a New Economic Reality

Uzbekistan is entering a period in which domestic transformation is becoming increasingly interconnected with global economic processes. The country has set ambitious goals: accelerating economic growth, advancing the technological modernization of industry, attracting large-scale investment, expanding exports and integrating into international value chains.

This is precisely why discussions within the G20 have practical relevance for Uzbekistan. The issues addressed by the Group of Twenty — sustainable development, industrialization, the energy transition, trade, digitalization, food security, access to capital and the modernization of financial institutions — largely align with the challenges facing the country. The difference lies mainly in scale: while the G20 shapes the key priorities of the global economy, Uzbekistan translates similar objectives into a concrete national development agenda.

The G20 brings together the world’s largest advanced and emerging economies, as well as the European Union and the African Union. Its members account for approximately 85% of global GDP, more than 75% of international trade and around two-thirds of the world’s population. For Uzbekistan, the G20 represents a platform where major global trends are shaped, including the cost of capital, the structure of demand, investment flows, industrial standards, trade rules and approaches to sustainable growth.

Investment: A Focus on Trust and Long-Term Capital

The global investment landscape is changing. Capital is becoming increasingly selective, while investors are paying greater attention not only to market size and natural resources, but also to the quality of institutions, regulatory predictability, the protection of business rights, access to infrastructure and the clarity of the legal environment.

This shift is particularly relevant for Uzbekistan. In recent years, attracting investment has become one of the central pillars of the country’s economic policy. At the Fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that Uzbekistan’s economy grew by 7.7% in 2025, while the country attracted USD 43 billion in foreign investment. GDP is expected to exceed USD 180 billion in 2026.

These figures reflect not only strong economic growth, but also the emergence of a new model of engagement with the international business community. Uzbekistan is strengthening its role as a stable platform for long-term capital, industrial cooperation and the regional expansion of companies.

The establishment of the Tashkent International Financial Centre plays an important role in this process. Its legal framework provides for a special regulatory regime, elements of English common law, an independent commercial court, the free movement of capital, the ability to conduct transactions in any currency, and the development of fintech, digital assets and green finance.

Such initiatives enhance Uzbekistan’s attractiveness to international businesses. They create an environment in which capital protection, transparent rules, modern financial instruments and institutional trust become integral components of the country’s overall investment architecture.

Against this backdrop, practical cooperation between Central Asia, international development banks, export credit agencies, sovereign wealth funds and the private sector is becoming increasingly important. For Uzbekistan, it is essential to establish mechanisms that facilitate the preparation and financing of specific initiatives in transport and digital infrastructure, power grids, energy storage systems, water conservation, agricultural technologies and the processing of critical minerals.

This approach is fully aligned with the priorities of the G20: investment should support not only the implementation of individual projects, but also the development of resilient infrastructure for long-term growth. Uzbekistan, for its part, is ready to offer its partners a well-prepared portfolio of projects and stable long-term conditions for their implementation.

Industry: Transitioning to a More Sophisticated Economy

One of the central themes of the G20 agenda is the development of a new generation of industry. This extends beyond increasing production volumes to encompass technological modernization, resilient supply chains, localization, advanced processing, innovation and the creation of high-skilled jobs.

For Uzbekistan, this approach is of direct relevance. The country is steadily transitioning from an economic model primarily based on raw materials and traditional manufacturing advantages toward one in which processing industries, technology, industrial cooperation and the export of higher value-added products play an increasingly important role.

Over the coming years, Uzbekistan aims to increase industrial value added from USD 36.5 billion to at least USD 60 billion, while expanding output in high-technology and medium-high-technology industries by a factor of 2.5. In 2026, the country plans to launch 782 new industrial and infrastructure projects with a combined value of USD 52 billion.

This approach is fully consistent with modern industrial policy. Manufacturing is viewed not merely as the production of goods, but as the foundation for technological resilience, employment, export growth, energy efficiency, logistics and participation in global manufacturing value chains.

A broad range of opportunities is emerging for Uzbekistan across metallurgy, the chemical industry, electrical engineering, machinery manufacturing, automotive components, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, textiles, agro-processing and digital infrastructure. In each of these sectors, the country seeks not only to expand production volumes but also to deepen value-added processing, improve product quality and access new markets.

Critical minerals have also become an increasingly important topic. For the world's leading economies, they are closely linked to the energy transition, digitalization, battery technologies, industrial modernization and secure supply chains. For Uzbekistan, with its rich mineral resource base and developing metallurgical sector, this resource advantage can serve as the foundation for new industrial clusters and production partnerships with international investors.

At the same time, it is essential that such cooperation goes beyond the simple export of raw materials and instead focuses on creating complete value chains within the region. This includes advanced processing, technology transfer, workforce development, strengthening engineering capabilities and creating highly skilled jobs. Such a model will enable Uzbekistan to reinforce its industrial self-sufficiency while becoming an even more significant partner for major international markets.

Trade: Connectivity as a Driver of Competitiveness

The relevance of the G20 is particularly evident in the area of trade. The world's largest economies already occupy a prominent place in Uzbekistan's external economic relations.

Between January and May 2026, Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover reached USD 32.8 billion. Its key trading partners include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, France, the Republic of Korea and Germany. Most of these countries are either G20 members or are closely integrated into its broader economic architecture.

Decisions taken by the world's largest economies have a direct impact on the conditions of Uzbekistan's foreign trade. Technical standards, quality requirements, rules of origin, tariff policies, logistics routes, environmental regulations and digital trade procedures have become part of the day-to-day business environment for Uzbek exporters.

As a landlocked country, transport connectivity is of particular strategic importance for Uzbekistan. In today's global economy, export competitiveness depends not only on product quality but also on the speed, cost and reliability of delivery. Consequently, the development of East-West and North-South transport corridors passing through Central Asia has become an integral part of the country's trade, transport and industrial policy.

Achieving this objective requires practical solutions, including the digitalization of transit procedures, mutual recognition of electronic transport documents and certificates, coordinated operation of border crossing points, the reduction of unjustified fees and the implementation of the "One Border – One Stop" principle. The effectiveness of these measures should be assessed not by the number of agreements signed, but by tangible reductions in delivery times and transportation costs.

At the same time, Uzbekistan's export performance demonstrates important structural changes. Between January and May 2026, exports of goods excluding gold increased by 29.4%. This indicates that the country is steadily expanding the non-resource component of its foreign trade while strengthening its competitive position in industrial products, textiles, agro-processing, services, transport and other sectors.

At this stage, it is important not only to increase export volumes but also to improve their quality. Modern trade requires internationally recognized certification, consistency, strong branding, efficient logistics and the ability to meet the standards of major global markets. International standards and domestic reforms are becoming increasingly interconnected: external markets establish the requirements, while government policy helps businesses meet them.

WTO: Rules, Trust and Market Access

Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization is now approaching its final stage. This is no longer merely a technical process, but one of the key components of the country's economic transformation toward a more open, predictable and competitive model of development.

In June 2026, the issue gained additional political and practical momentum. During the meeting between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, particular attention was devoted to cooperation in the context of Uzbekistan's accession to the WTO and continued U.S. support for this process. At the same time, the United States officially reaffirmed its support for Uzbekistan's membership and recognized the substantial progress achieved by the country in this area.

For Uzbekistan, WTO membership represents the institutionalization of a new economic model based on reducing unnecessary trade barriers, enhancing regulatory transparency, improving the business and investment climate, expanding opportunities for exporters and strengthening the confidence of the international business community in the Uzbek market.

Integration into the WTO framework is closely linked to Uzbekistan's investment, industrial and trade agenda. For investors, it serves as a signal of greater policy predictability. For exporters, it provides access to a transparent and rules-based international trading system. For industry, it creates incentives to improve product quality, competitiveness and compliance with modern international standards. Accordingly, WTO accession should be viewed as a natural continuation of the comprehensive reforms already underway.

The New Economy: Global Trends and Uzbekistan’s Development Path

The global economy is undergoing profound structural transformation. Supply chains are being reshaped, competition for capital and technology is intensifying, and the importance of energy resilience, food security, digital infrastructure and industrial capabilities continues to grow. These are precisely the issues at the heart of the G20 agenda.

For Uzbekistan, this transformation reinforces the relevance of the country's chosen development path. The nation is already advancing in areas that are becoming fundamental to the new economy, including investment openness, industrial modernization, transport connectivity, energy development, digital transformation, export expansion and integration into the international rules-based trading system.

As the world's leading economies focus on supply chain resilience, new opportunities emerge for Uzbekistan in logistics, industrial cooperation and regional specialization. The global energy transition is increasing demand for renewable energy, critical minerals and energy-efficient industries. Food security concerns are enhancing the importance of agro-processing and cooperation with neighboring markets. Meanwhile, the growing emphasis on digitalization and financial resilience underscores the strategic importance of fintech, IT infrastructure, artificial intelligence and modern financial institutions.

At the same time, the transition to a low-carbon economy and the adoption of new digital standards must be both fair and practically achievable for developing countries. For Uzbekistan, it is essential that new international requirements be accompanied by transparent rules, reasonable transition periods, mutual recognition of equivalent standards, access to technology and financing, and support for exporters in implementing carbon accounting, product traceability and international certification systems.

In this context, the priorities discussed within the G20 closely align with the reforms already underway in Uzbekistan. The G20 therefore provides an international framework in which the country's development strategy receives both practical relevance and additional validation.

Strategic Priorities for Growth: Capital, Technology and Exports

From the perspective of investment, industry and trade, the G20 agenda highlights several strategic priorities for Uzbekistan.

The first is capital. Uzbekistan must continue developing an investment ecosystem in which international businesses see not only promising projects but also long-term institutional reliability. This requires further development of the country's financial centre, special legal regimes, industrial zones, digital public services, investor protection mechanisms and comprehensive investment facilitation.

The second priority is industry. Uzbekistan should continue strengthening its position in higher value-added manufacturing by expanding advanced processing, developing local component industries, enhancing engineering capabilities and fostering technological partnerships. This will enable the country to become a fully integrated participant in increasingly sophisticated global manufacturing value chains.

The third priority is trade and connectivity. Export policy should be built around quality, international standards, certification, logistics, branding and reliable access to global markets. For a landlocked country, this also requires continuous investment in transport corridors, transit digitalization, lower logistics costs and greater supply chain predictability. The steady growth of non-resource exports already demonstrates that Uzbekistan is moving in the right direction, while WTO accession is expected to provide additional momentum and long-term stability.

The fourth priority is partnerships. Most of Uzbekistan's principal trade and investment partners are either G20 members or closely connected to its broader economic architecture. Accordingly, cooperation with China, Russia, Türkiye, the Republic of Korea, Germany, France, India, Japan, the United States, the European Union and the Middle East should be viewed as part of a unified strategy for integration into global networks of capital, technology and markets.

Uzbekistan and the G20: Shared Priorities, Practical Outcomes

For Uzbekistan, the G20 reflects the global processes that are becoming increasingly intertwined with the country's own development trajectory. While the G20 focuses on sustainable growth, Uzbekistan is implementing large-scale economic reforms. As industrialization remains at the forefront of the international agenda, the country is strengthening its industrial base and pursuing greater technological sophistication. As discussions center on trade and investment, Uzbekistan continues opening its markets, improving its regulatory framework and establishing modern institutions for investment and capital.

The greatest value of the G20 agenda for Uzbekistan lies in the convergence of strategic priorities. The global economy is entering a new era in which capital, technology, production and trade are being fundamentally reconfigured. In this environment, Uzbekistan seeks not only to adapt to the evolving economic landscape but also to secure a stronger and more competitive position through structural reforms, openness, industrial development and long-term international partnerships.

Central Asia plays a particularly important role in this process. The region is steadily emerging as a strategic bridge between major global markets, while Uzbekistan is becoming one of the key platforms where transport corridors, industrial value chains and investment projects are translated into tangible economic outcomes.

This is the practical significance of the G20 for Uzbekistan. It provides a clearer understanding of the direction of the global economy, enables the country to align international developments with its national priorities and transforms global trends into concrete opportunities for sustainable growth. For Uzbekistan, this represents the continued implementation of its own long-term development strategy, built upon comprehensive reforms, national interests and the growing strategic potential of Central Asia.