Uzbekistan and Germany: transitioning from political confidence to technological collaboration
Germany plays a unique role in Uzbekistan’s relations with Europe, which isn’t solely due to Berlin’s political sway or economic size. Instead, Germany is a vital partner for Uzbekistan in areas like technology, industrial machinery, finance, and professional education.
Therefore, relations between Uzbekistan and Germany should be seen as a long-term partnership rather than just typical foreign trade connections. This partnership focuses on modernizing industry, enhancing financial infrastructure, and upgrading the quality of human capital.
According to the National Statistics Committee, Germany was among Uzbekistan’s top foreign trade partners last year, with a trade turnover of $1,427.7 million. By 2024, this amount was $1,253.4 million. Germany’s official statistics agency, Destatis, also noted notable growth in bilateral trade.
The notable improvement in relations between Uzbekistan and Germany is directly due to the outcomes of the 2024 Central Asia – Germany Summit in Astana. The forum highlighted key focus areas, including investment and technology, critical raw materials, green energy, transportation and logistics, climate change, education, and cultural exchange. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed concrete measures to enhance practical cooperation, including involving leading German companies and banks in joint projects, creating a Central Asia – Germany Council of Investors and Entrepreneurs, and establishing a multilateral mechanism to encourage and safeguard investments.
The declaration adopted by the foreign ministers of Germany and Central Asia in Berlin on February 11 signified a new phase in their political efforts. The host country’s Foreign Office highlighted collaboration in the energy sector and mentioned a €2.7 million fund to enhance the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.
In 2025, machinery and transport equipment accounted for 33.8 percent of trade with Germany, our top supplier in this sector.
Last autumn, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov participated in a series of meetings in Germany during the World Alliance of International Financial Centers gathering. During this visit, a Memorandum of Cooperation with Frankfurt Main Finance was signed to promote the development of the financial sector and establish principles for institutional collaboration. Additionally, discussions took place with Deutsche Bank’s management.
This document enables stronger connections with Frankfurt, a leading European financial hub, via international financial institutions and investment platforms. It also promotes shifting financial cooperation from official gatherings to more formal institutional partnerships.
Currently, German companies increasingly see Uzbekistan as a manufacturing hub rather than just a sales market. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s meeting with top German business and banking representatives in Samarkand was attended by major firms, including KNAUF, Gunter Papenburg, CLAAS, Siemens Energy, Aurubis, Ernst Klett, Siemens Healthineers, Herrenknecht, DB Engineering & Consulting, Svevind Energy, Rhenus, and HMS Bergbau. This selection of participants clearly reflects the nature of current collaborations: construction materials production, mechanical engineering, energy, metallurgy, education, medical technologies, tunnel construction, logistics, and raw materials. Essentially, Germany perceives Uzbekistan not merely as an export destination but as a platform for diverse technological partnerships.
Intergovernmental dialogue is increasingly focusing on private-sector partnerships. Siemens Energy and Siemens Healthineers recognize substantial opportunities to modernize the energy and medical technology sectors. CLAAS and other agricultural machinery firms aim to enhance mechanization in the country’s agriculture. Additionally, companies such as Herrenknecht and DB Engineering & Consulting are prepared to contribute German technologies and engineering expertise to major transport and infrastructure projects.
An emphasis on the green economy and digital transformation marks a new phase in cooperation between Germany and Uzbekistan. The Berlin Declaration, adopted by the German Federal Foreign Office in February 2026, highlights renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green hydrogen as central to their partnership with Central Asia, including Uzbekistan. This focus is deliberate, reflecting Germany’s growing emphasis on green industry, hydrogen energy, climate change adaptation, and sustainable supply chains in its foreign policy and economic diplomacy. Uzbekistan has also made green transformation a priority in its investment plans. Consequently, there is a strong likelihood that green energy, energy efficiency, clean industries, and resource conservation will drive the next phase of their partnership.
Dilshod Hakimov, UzA
