UAE and Uzbekistan explore ways to strengthen partnership across new economy, tourism, aviation, and logistics sectors

Minister of Economy and Tourism holds meeting with high-level Uzbek delegation in Dubai

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, received a high-level delegation from Uzbekistan at the Ministry’s headquarters in Dubai. The visiting delegation included H.E. Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade; H.E. Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade; H.E. Shokhrukh Ghulamov, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade; H.E. Jasurbek Choriyev, Deputy Minister of Transport; along with other senior Uzbek government officials.

The meeting explored ways to strengthen economic and investment relations between the UAE and Uzbekistan, particularly across priority sectors, including the new economy, tourism, aviation, fintech, transport, renewable energy, agriculture, food security, logistics, manufacturing, infrastructure, and banking. These efforts enhance economic integration between the two countries and support their shared goal of fostering sustainable development partnerships.

H.E. Bin Touq highlighted the deepening economic and investment ties between the two countries, which reflect a shared commitment to strengthening frameworks of bilateral cooperation and expanding partnership across various sectors of mutual interest.

H.E. said: “The UAE remains committed to strengthening its economic and investment relations with Uzbekistan and driving them towards further growth and development. This supports economic growth pathways and aligns with the aspirations of the two countries, particularly as more than 2,300 Uzbek companies are currently operating in UAE markets.”

H.E. added: “The meeting marks a new milestone in exploring the promising economic opportunities in both markets. The discussions are key to leveraging these opportunities and translating them into practical partnerships and joint projects that strengthen bilateral economic ties, boost mutual investment flows, and foster dialogue between the UAE and Uzbek business communities, thereby expanding avenues for future cooperation.”

Tourism exchanges between the two countries have experienced remarkable growth, with the number of Uzbek visitors to the UAE surging from 57,575 in 2024 to 71,969 in 2025, up nearly 25 per cent. This reflects the growing attractiveness of the UAE as a destination in the Uzbek market.

During the meeting, the UAE side reviewed several economic policies and measures adopted by the country to enhance the business and economic environment, maintain economic openness to the world, and build productive economic partnerships with vital regional and international markets. The meeting also underscored ongoing efforts to enhance the attractiveness of the UAE market for new economy projects and companies, and to strengthen the competitiveness of the country’s legislative environment, which has contributed to reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leading regional and global hub for business and investment.

Furthermore, the discussions reviewed the package of economic facilitations and new measures recently announced by the UAE to support the business and investment sector, in light of current economic and geopolitical developments. These include enhancing corporate liquidity, easing operational costs, and improving customs procedures, thereby empowering the private sector, ensuring the stability and continued growth of economic activity, and creating broader opportunities for the Uzbek business community to benefit from the UAE’s flexible and enabling business environment.

Finally, the meeting discussed strengthening cooperation through Investopia - Tashkent, which will be held in partnership with the Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF). It will explore promising economic and investment opportunities in new economy sectors across the UAE, Uzbek, and wider Asian markets.