Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are deepening their strategic partnership with the implementation of 80 joint investment projects worth more than $1.8 billion, as the two countries accelerate trade, industrial cooperation, and transport connectivity across Central Asia.

The progress was reviewed during the 23rd meeting of the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Bilateral Cooperation in Aktau, where Prime Ministers Olzhas Bektenov and Abdulla Aripov discussed the next phase of bilateral cooperation, The Caspian Post reports via primeminister.kz.

Bektenov said the close cooperation between the two countries has become a model for regional integration, crediting the leadership of the presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for driving stronger political and economic ties.

Aripov noted that recent meetings between the two heads of state in Bukhara, Astana, and Turkistan had set ambitious goals for expanding cooperation, adding that both governments are committed to delivering concrete results.

Trade Surges as Investment Pipeline Grows

Bilateral trade reached $4.8 billion in 2025, while trade turnover jumped 37% year-on-year to $2.3 billion during the first five months of 2026, highlighting the rapidly growing economic relationship.

Officials also reviewed implementation of the $7.8 billion Investment and Trade Road Map, designed to diversify bilateral trade, attract investment, and increase industrial cooperation.

Industrial collaboration remains one of the strongest pillars of the partnership. Of the 80 joint projects currently underway:

15 projects worth $227 million have already been launched, creating around 5,000 jobs.

Six projects valued at $102 million are under construction.

Fifty-nine additional projects worth approximately $1.5 billion are in various stages of preparation.

Kazakhstan also highlighted its export potential in metallurgy, mechanical engineering, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, automotive manufacturing, and construction materials.

Transport Corridors Gain Momentum

Transport and logistics were another major focus of the talks.

Rail freight between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan increased 16% by the end of 2025, reaching 32.3 million tons. To support future growth, the two countries adopted a joint action plan to expand the capacity of their railway corridors from 35 million to 60 million tons.

Bektenov also proposed modernizing cross-border railway infrastructure and opening additional border checkpoints to improve regional connectivity.

Cooperation in road transport is also advancing. The introduction of the E-Permit electronic permit exchange system has increased permit issuance more than tenfold over the past four years while reducing border crossing times from nine hours to just 30 minutes.

Expanding Cooperation Beyond Trade

The two governments reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in water resource management, emphasizing balanced and mutually beneficial solutions.

They also agreed to deepen cultural and humanitarian cooperation, including joint efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage recognition for historical sites under the transnational "Great Silk Road: Fergana-Syrdarya Corridor" project.

Following the meeting, Bektenov and Aripov signed the protocol of the 23rd Joint Intergovernmental Commission, reaffirming plans to expand cooperation in industry, transport, transit, investment, and other key sectors as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan continue building one of Central Asia's fastest-growing strategic partnerships.