Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, welcomed a distinguished delegation from Uzbekistan, which included Jamshid Khojayev, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade; Laziz Kudratov, the Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade; Shukhrukh Ghulamov, the Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade; and Jasur Churiev, the Deputy Minister of Transport, along with several Uzbek government officials, at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism in Dubai.
The two parties discussed ways to enhance economic and investment relations between the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan in the upcoming period, particularly focusing on priority sectors such as the new economy, tourism, aviation, fintech, transportation, renewable energy, agriculture, food security, logistics, energy, industry, infrastructure, and banking. These efforts aim to strengthen economic integration between the two nations and support their aspirations to establish sustainable development partnerships.
In this context, Abdullah bin Touq reaffirmed the growing economic and investment ties between the UAE and Uzbekistan, as directed by the wise leadership of both friendly nations. This reflects the commitment of both sides to bolster frameworks for bilateral cooperation and broaden partnership opportunities across various mutually interested sectors.
He stated that the UAE is determined to further enhance its economic and investment relations with Uzbekistan, promoting growth and development that aligns with the economic growth trajectories and aspirations of both nations, especially considering that over 2,300 Uzbek companies are currently operating in the UAE markets.
He added that this meeting represents a significant step towards exploring promising economic opportunities in both countries’ markets, discussing ways to leverage these opportunities, and transforming them into practical partnerships and joint ventures that enhance economic cooperation, increase mutual investments, and support direct communication channels between the Emirati and Uzbek business communities, thereby boosting future collaboration prospects.
Tourism cooperation between the two countries has shown substantial growth, with the number of Uzbek tourists visiting the UAE increasing from 57,575 in 2024 to 71,969 in 2025, reflecting a growth rate of nearly 25%. This trend demonstrates the increasing attractiveness of the UAE as a destination among Uzbek travelers.
The Emirati side showcased several economic policies and measures the UAE has implemented to enhance its business environment and open up economically to the world, establishing fruitful economic partnerships with key regional and international markets. The efforts aim to boost the attractiveness of the UAE market for new economy projects and enhance the competitiveness of the legislative and economic environment, thereby solidifying the UAE’s position as a leading economic hub for business and investment both regionally and globally.
The discussion also addressed a variety of economic incentives and new measures recently announced by the UAE that support the business and investment sectors against the backdrop of current geopolitical and economic changes. These include financial liquidity support for businesses, reducing operational burdens, and enhancing customs facilitation, all of which aim to empower the private sector, stabilize economic activities, and ensure continued growth, creating broader opportunities for Uzbek business partners to benefit from the flexible and stimulating business environment in the UAE.
Additionally, both parties deliberated on strengthening their collaboration through the “Investopia Tashkent” event, which will take place in partnership with the Tashkent International Investment Forum, aimed at exploring promising economic and investment opportunities in the new economy sectors within the UAE, Uzbekistan, and broader Asian markets.