In recent years, Uzbekistan has stepped up reforms to boost foreign economic activity, expand international trade and economic ties, and enhance export potential by producing high-quality, competitive products to strengthen its position in global markets.

Enhancing the country’s export potential is aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of the national economy, creating new jobs, and strengthening the country’s international standing, The Caspian Post reports, citing UzA.

On January 15, a videoconference meeting chaired by the President was held to review the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic missions abroad, during which the need to increase export volumes and attract investment was particularly emphasized.

As noted, within the framework of bilateral and multilateral events in 2025, agreements on investment projects and trade contracts totaling $160 billion were signed. For the first time in history, foreign trade turnover exceeded $80 billion, exports reached $33.5 billion, and the volume of foreign investment surpassed $43 billion. Export deliveries to 75 countries increased by nearly $4.5 billion.

- Special attention is being paid to enhancing foreign trade and export potential to support the development of our country’s economy, - said Bekzod Oripov, Head of the Department for Foreign Trade and the Development and Implementation of Export Programs at the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade. - Our ministry has implemented a number of measures to increase export indicators for 2025 and ensure the full achievement of the set targets. In particular, the country’s export volume last year reached $23.9 billion, which amounts to 122 percent compared to 2024.

In addition, regional exports amounted to $14.8 billion, or 119 percent compared to the previous year, indicating strong export growth across all regions. Exports of finished goods and semi-finished products increased by 18 percent, while services grew by 29 percent.

Thanks to the optimization of the customs regime, the volume of exports to the global market increased by $1.6 billion last year.

Notably, in 2025, 2,800 enterprises were involved in export activities, resulting in an additional $2 billion in export revenues. Currently, the total number of exporters has reached 8,700.

As noted by B. Oripov, throughout the year a special task force reviewed the activities of exporting enterprises and identified 2,210 problematic issues. Of these, 1,972 have been resolved, while practical work continues on 238 issues.

To engage local enterprises in export activities, the “Export Accelerator” program was launched jointly with the international consulting company IMGR. Under this initiative, 100 local enterprises were selected and, through existing practical export support instruments, concluded contracts with foreign partners.

As part of efforts to diversify trade and attract brands, the e-commerce program “Alibaba Online Export Accelerator - Uzbekistan” was launched from May 12 to 15, 2025, in the cities of Qingdao and Hangzhou (China) in cooperation with Alibaba Group, with the participation of 100 local enterprises.

A “Made in Uzbekistan” section has been launched on the Russian e-commerce platforms Ozon and Wildberries, featuring about 1,700 local products. In addition, 17 Uzbek brands were showcased in prestigious international print publications and business catalogs.

In order to accelerate product sales in Russia, around 10 business missions were organized, during which export agreements were reached with major companies.

In the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, 1,200 square meters of space were leased at the Aria Business Center to establish the Uzelectronics multi-brand retail center. This enabled 23 local brands to enter the Afghan market.

- Trade houses, showrooms, and warehouses have been established in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Kyrgyzstan, where samples of more than 50 types of high value-added construction materials oriented toward export have been displayed, - B. Oripov said. - To promote national brands at the Sadovod market in Moscow, 38 retail outlets were leased, where local manufacturers of textile products and footwear were represented. As a result, export deliveries reached $55 million.

In short, the reforms aimed at developing foreign trade are yielding tangible results.

For 2026, a 16 percent increase in export volume is planned. At the same time, growth in finished goods and semi-finished products is expected to reach 55 percent, and services - 35 percent.

Conditions are being created to more actively promote our products in foreign markets, including America, Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

A plan has been developed to ensure the participation of our entrepreneurs in 85 international exhibitions and trade fairs. In particular, for the first time, our companies will take part in events in 15 countries, including Australia, Finland, Portugal, and Greece.

To enhance the knowledge and skills of our entrepreneurs in e-commerce and to launch sales of domestic products on marketplaces such as Amazon.ae, Noon, Namshi, Jumia, and Takealot, training seminars are being organized in the regions.

In conclusion, it can be said that Uzbekistan’s exports in 2025 have proven to be an effective and promising instrument that goes beyond mere quantitative indicators. This process has contributed to the integration of regions, the creation of new jobs, the adoption of international standards, and the opening of new markets.

It is expected that this year exports will become the main driver of the country’s sustainable development.