Uzbekistan is set to import 700,000 tons of iron ore annually from Tajikistan as part of a broader strategy to expand domestic steel production and strengthen its metallurgical industry.

The initiative was announced during a meeting on the development of the metallurgy sector chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who highlighted the country's vast iron ore reserves-estimated at 1.5 billion tons-and called for their accelerated development, The Caspian Post reports via Spot.

The government has instructed officials to speed up the signing of an agreement with Tajikistan to begin importing 700,000 tons of iron ore each year starting next year, ensuring a reliable supply of raw materials for Uzbekistan's steel industry.

At the same time, Uzbekistan is advancing several major mining projects. Beginning in 2027, Uzmetkombinat will receive 650,000 tons of iron ore concentrate annually from the Surun-Ota deposit under a partnership with Chinese investors. Production is also expected to begin at the Tebinbulak deposit in the coming years, adding up to 1 million tons of steel output annually.

The government said major international companies have expressed interest in investing in the country's full metallurgical value chain-from mineral exploration and mining to the production of finished steel products. Proposed investments include up to $500 million for iron ore mining in the Samarkand region, while Uzmetkombinat has requested the development of a 32-million-ton deposit in the Jizzakh region.

There is a need to expand reserves of iron ore and other strategic minerals, while increasing supplies of manganese and ferrosilicon, essential materials for producing higher-quality steel.

The planned imports from Tajikistan are expected to strengthen Uzbekistan's raw material base and support its ambition to become a leading steel producer in Central Asia.