Trade between Uzbekistan and Qatar increased by more than 30% in 2025 as the bilateral ties between both the countries are progressing very well, said the ambassador of Uzbekistan, Dr Ashraf Khodjaev.
Khodjaev was interacting with the media yesterday on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Uzebkistan's independence, highlighting the strategic partnership between both the countries.
“The partnership has continued to gain momentum. In 2025, trade between Uzbekistan and Qatar increased by more than 30%, while Uzbekistan's exports to Qatar grew by more than 36%,” said the ambassador.
Khodjaev noted that in 2026, both the countries have continued to develop projects in energy, transport and logistics, infrastructure, industry, agriculture, tourism, education and finance.
“Qatari companies and institutions are increasingly exploring investment opportunities in Uzbekistan, while both countries are working to expand trade and establish new mechanisms for business cooperation. The growing Uzbekistan–Qatar partnership is an important bridge between Central Asia and the Gulf and reflects the shared vision of both countries for stronger economic and people-to-people ties,” he explained.
According to the envoy, Uzbekistan’s expanding international engagement is reflected in the rapid development of its relations with Qatar. “Diplomatic relations, established in 1997, have in recent years evolved into a strategic partnership, supported by a series of high-level visits and growing cooperation in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, tourism, education and culture,” he stated.
The ambassador underlined that a major milestone in the bilateral relations was the state visit of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Uzbekistan in June 2023.
“The visit opened a new chapter in bilateral relations and resulted in the signing of 15 agreements and memoranda covering investment, trade, taxation, education, culture, agriculture, tourism and other areas,” Khodjaev pointed out.
“This was followed by the state visit of Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Qatar in October 2023, where the two leaders agreed to further elevate bilateral relations and witnessed the signing of a new package of agreements and memoranda. In December 2023, His Highness the Amir visited Tashkent to attend the International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award ceremony,” he highlighted.
Khodjaev also spoke about the development agenda of Uzbekistan as the country celebrates the 35th anniversary.
He said: "Our development agenda is increasingly defined by the ambition to build a modern, competitive and socially inclusive economy; strengthen the rule of law and human capital; accelerate the green and digital transition; and contribute to a peaceful, interconnected and prosperous Central Asia."
The envoy also highlighted some of the key achievements since 2016, noting that GDP increased approximately threefold, rising from $60bn to $180bn, while the GDP per capita increased 27% from $3000 to $4000.
The national poverty rate fell by almost tenfold from 35% to 4% and the foreign trade turnover increased approximately fivefold from $15.8 to $81.2bn. The number of operating enterprises with foreign capital doubled from 9,400 to 17,900 and the annual volume of endorsed FDI increased six times from $7.4bn to $43.1bn.
