On April 18-19 this year, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, paid a state visit to Tajikistan. Following the high-level talks, a historical document, the Allied Relations Treaty, was signed, confirming the countries’ strong commitment to an irreversible course toward deepening the strategic partnership and alliance between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

During the visit, several important events were also held, including forums of Women and Rectors, Cinema Days of Uzbekistan, conferences of intellectuals, scientists and historians, a festival of national dishes and tourism potential, an exhibition of goods “Made in Uzbekistan”, as well as a business forum.

The current state of bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan reflects the dynamic and progressive nature of the development of multifaceted cooperation.

Since 2017, the countries have radically reformed their relations through joint efforts, moved towards mutual openness, and established active practical cooperation.

In a short period of time, the countries achieved significant results. In particular, the issue of the state border was resolved, a visa-free regime for up to 30 days was introduced for mutual trips of citizens of the two countries, 17 checkpoints resumed full-scale activities, and the status of co-chairmen of the Uzbekistan – Tajikistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was raised to the level of Prime Ministers.

These achievements contributed to the significant and rapid development of trade and economic relations between countries. Thus, the volume of bilateral trade has increased threefold over the past eight years, exceeding $750 million in 2023, and since the beginning of the year, it has grown by another 40%. At the same time, in the coming years, trade turnover is expected to increase to $2 billion.

At the same time, the high dynamics of economic cooperation between countries are manifested not only in multiple increases in mutual trade but also in the intensification of the creation of joint ventures in various sectors of the economy. Thus, the number of joint projects operating in both countries, which was only 17 in 2017, today exceeds 370.

As an example of successfully functioning joint projects in Tajikistan, we can cite the enterprises for the production of yarn and finished textile products Zelal-Teks, for the production of household appliances Artel, and the assembly and commissioning of special municipal and construction transport Talco-Krantas.

It should be noted that in March this year, the 11th meeting of the joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was held in Dushanbe. This meeting determined specific programs and projects for the development of industrial cooperation, including areas of cooperation in agriculture, energy and water resources, transport, digital technologies, and others.

At the meeting, an agreement was reached on signing an Intergovernmental Agreement on the conditions of operation of the Uzbekistan – Tajikistan Industrial and Trade Zone, accelerating the implementation of a project for the joint construction of two hydroelectric power stations on the Zarafshan River, which will contribute to further enhancing and deepening multifaceted bilateral economic cooperation.

Particularly noteworthy are the documents signed during the visit of the President of Uzbekistan to the city of Dushanbe, which opened up new prospects for economic cooperation.

Agreements on cooperation in industry and the protection of industrial property, Protocols on introducing amendments and additions to agreements on checkpoints across the state border, international road and air traffic, roadmaps of cooperation between the regions of the two countries, and other documents will raise the partnership of the two countries to a new level of interaction, which, without any doubt, fully meets the fundamental interests of the two fraternal peoples.

In general, the current historic visit has become proof of the desire of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to consistently strengthen their multifaceted partnership and jointly achieve new heights of economic development.

Its fruitful results will become a powerful driver of economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, contributing to the growth of mutual trade and the mutually beneficial strengthening of industrial and investment ties between the countries, which, in turn, will support stability and sustainable development in Central Asia.

Nurmuhammad Bakhtiyorov,

Leading Researcher at the International Institute for Central Asia

UzA