Uzbekistan and Singapore have agreed to begin negotiations on establishing a free trade regime, according to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade.

A corresponding document was signed on August 28, 2026, during Singapore Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s visit to Uzbekistan, with Uzbek Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov participating in the ceremony, The Caspian Post reports, citing UzDaily.

The launch of the negotiations is aimed at expanding bilateral trade and improving market access for goods between the two countries.

During the ceremony, agreements were also finalized with the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise on cooperation in developing special economic zones, drawing on Singapore’s expertise in the sector.

A separate agreement on the food industry was signed with the participation of international corporations Wilmar International and Indorama. The project provides for the establishment of vegetable oil production and processing facilities in Uzbekistan’s Tashkent region.

The plans also include the subsequent development of livestock feed production and poultry farming to create integrated agricultural and food manufacturing supply chains.

The documents were signed on August 28 as part of the bilateral program for Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s visit to Uzbekistan.