Uzbekistan and the US are set to launch a new joint investment platform aimed at financing major bilateral projects and boosting long-term economic cooperation.

Speaking at the Uzbek-American Business Forum in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov announced the initiative, describing it as a key mechanism for supporting joint ventures between Uzbek and American companies, The Caspian Post reports via Report.

Kudratov said that funding for the platform will come from the US International Development Finance Corporation and the Export-Import Bank of the United States on the American side, while Uzbekistan will contribute through the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan.

The minister said the platform is designed to address financing gaps that often delay promising projects and to create new opportunities for investment across strategic sectors.

Kudratov also revealed that Uzbekistan is hosting the largest US business delegation in the history of bilateral relations, a sign that American companies increasingly view the country as a long-term investment partner rather than simply a consumer market.

In a further step to attract US capital, Uzbekistan proposed the creation of a dedicated special economic zone for American companies. The envisioned zone would offer modern infrastructure, streamlined procedures, reliable utilities, logistics access, and direct government support to facilitate investment and manufacturing activities in Central Asia.

Meanwhile, Chair of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce Carolyn Lamm highlighted the rapid growth of economic ties between the two countries, noting that new US investments in Uzbekistan exceeded $1 billion last year and have already surpassed $2 billion this year.

Chief Executive Officer of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Ben Black emphasized Washington’s interest in building a long-term partnership with Uzbekistan and Central Asia, citing the region’s young population and expanding economic potential.

For his part, President and Chairman of EXIM Bank John Jovanovic reaffirmed the readiness of US financial institutions to support projects in strategically important sectors and deepen economic cooperation with Uzbekistan.