Bakhtiyor Saidov: Belarus, Uzbekistan boast unprecedented level of relations

Relations between Belarus and Uzbekistan are at an unprecedented high level at present – as stated by the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov, at his today’s meeting with President Aleksandr Lukashenko

Bakhtiyor Saidov warmly thanked the Belarusian leader for the meeting and conveyed to him the words of greeting from the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, “He drew my special attention and asked, “Please convey my best wishes to my friend.” Naturally, the visit that you made to Uzbekistan was a historic one. We then received relevant instructions from our leaders to raise relations between Uzbekistan and Belarus to a qualitatively new level in all areas.”

According to the diplomat, the level of relations between the two countries is unprecedented at present, and this is due to the political will of the presidents of Belarus and Uzbekistan.

In 2023, trade turnover between the countries reached $565.7m (112 percent against the 2022 level), while the volume of Belarusian exports amounted to $451.6m. Exports primarily comprised beef, tractors, timber, dairy products, vaccines, petroleum products, and medicines.

181 organisations, the founders of which are residents of Belarus, operate in Uzbekistan. One assembly plant of Belarusian equipment has been established on Uzbek territory with the participation of domestic capital. Co-operation in the production of special vehicles continues, and there are also joint ventures specialising in the production of dairy products and shoes. A number of bilateral projects in the field of pharmaceuticals are being implemented as well.

The parties are also working on issues of localisation of products of such large enterprises as BELAZ, Minsk Tractor Works, Minsk Motor Plant, and Mogilevliftmash in Uzbekistan.