Uzbekistan, Syria Move to Expand Trade, Business Cooperation

Uzbekistan and Syria are taking concrete steps to deepen trade and economic ties, as senior officials from both countries met in Damascus to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation.

The Uzbek delegation, led by Davron Vakhabov, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, and Ayubkhon Yunusov, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait, held talks with the leadership of the Syrian Federation of Chambers of Commerce, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

Meetings were held with the Federation’s President Alaa Omar al-Ali and General Director Muhammad Amir al-Khamisi.

The Syrian Federation unites trade and industrial chambers across key regions, including Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Hama, and Latakia, and represents thousands of private companies and entrepreneurs. Discussions focused on expanding business contacts and helping Uzbek companies enter the Syrian market.

Syrian representatives noted that after years of instability, the country is gradually returning to an open economic policy, prioritizing industrial development and investment attraction. Demand is growing for Uzbek products, particularly electrical equipment, construction materials, and food industry goods.

The talks build on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s statement in Samarkand on November 25, announcing plans to deploy trade advisers to Iraq and Syria starting next year to support business outreach.

The sides agreed to strengthen institutional ties between their chambers of commerce and to invite Uzbek companies to participate in the 63rd Damascus International Fair, scheduled for 2026. A preliminary agreement was also reached for a delegation of leading Syrian entrepreneurs to visit Uzbekistan in the first quarter of 2026, where a business forum and business-to-business (B2B) meetings will be held.