Central Asia and Azerbaijan are joining forces to launch the “Made in Central Asia” brand, aiming to boost regional trade to $20 billion and strengthen economic cooperation across multiple sectors.
Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, proposed doubling trade volume, emphasizing the region’s strong economic complementarities and growing appetite for joint projects, The Caspian Post informs via Tajik media.
He called for a joint action plan focused on:
Harmonizing customs procedures
Introducing digital documentation
Mutual recognition of permits
Implementing a unified single-window system
Regional trade has already doubled since 2017, reaching $11 billion in 2024, according to Uzbek data.
Kudratov also proposed creating a unified digital catalog of producers and linking government and chamber of commerce digital platforms to simplify cross-border business activity.
2026 Forum in Samarkand to Launch the New Brand
The official rollout of the “Made in Central Asia” label is planned for the Central Asia and Azerbaijan Investment Forum in 2026, set to take place in Samarkand. The brand aims to boost the international visibility of regional products and attract investors to jointly produced goods.
New Regional Vision: Invest-Produce-Sell
Kazakhstan’s Trade and Integration Minister, Arman Shakkaliev, urged countries to shift from traditional “buy-and-sell” trade to a modern “invest-produce-sell” model. He announced an upcoming industrial cooperation program with Uzbekistan that could soon expand to other regional partners, including Azerbaijan.
Digital Innovation and Startup Success Highlighted
Tajikistan’s Economic Development and Trade Minister, Zavqi Zavqizoda, spotlighted the growing digital sector, pointing to successful Tajik startups Zypl.ai (AI) and Alif (fintech) as proof of the region’s innovation potential.
Turkmenistan’s Minister, Nazar Agakhanov, expressed strong support for simplifying trade procedures and expanding digital platforms - calling them essential for achieving shared economic goals. Turkmenistan confirmed readiness to join a new regional working group.
Azerbaijan Sees Surging Trade With the Region
Azerbaijan’s First Deputy Minister of Economy, Elnour Aliyev, reported a 58% rise in trade with Central Asian countries over the past nine months, surpassing $1 billion. He stressed the need to expand transport corridors and develop investment-logistics hubs to support joint ventures.
Joint Communiqué Signed
The meeting concluded with ministers signing a joint communiqué committing to:
Deepening economic cooperation
Promoting joint production
Developing new investment tools
Strengthening regional value chains
The launch of “Made in Central Asia” marks a bold step toward positioning the region - together with Azerbaijan - as a rising economic force in Eurasia.
