The Sultanate of Oman and Uzbekistan have committed to strengthening collaboration across various sectors, following the conclusion of the fifth session of the Omani-Uzbek Joint Committee in Tashkent.
The Omani delegation was led by Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, accompanied by Wafa bint Jabr al Busaidi, Ambassador of Oman to Uzbekistan. Their Uzbek counterparts were headed by Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade, along with senior officials from both nations.
During the session, discussions centered on enhancing Oman and Uzbekistan cooperation in key areas such as trade, investment, energy, logistics, agriculture, higher education, tourism, and culture. Oman and Uzbekistan also emphasized the vital role of public-private partnerships in promoting sustainable economic growth and development.
A significant outcome of the meeting was the agreement to enhance cooperation in the air transport sector, including increased operating rights. Both Oman and Uzbekistan expressed interest in strengthening logistical partnerships, particularly by facilitating the re-export of Uzbek products through Omani ports, reinforcing Oman’s role as a regional logistics hub.
The Oman and Uzbekistan also agreed to intensify cooperation in scientific research, innovation, and higher education, with a view to supporting knowledge exchange and capacity-building initiatives.
Furthermore, the committee underlined the importance of closer engagement between chambers of commerce and business communities in both countries to boost trade volumes and investment flows.
On the sidelines of the committee meeting, Al Yousef held bilateral talks with several senior Uzbek officials, including Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies, and Bakhtiar Odilovich Saidov, Minister of Foreign Affairs. These meetings provided an opportunity to address existing trade challenges and explore new investment prospects.
Al Yousef also participated in roundtable discussions involving Omani and Uzbek business leaders, where he promoted Oman as a strategic investment destination. A detailed presentation on the ‘Invest in Oman’ initiative was delivered by Omar al Harthy, Senior Investment Analyst at the Ministry, highlighting the incentives, regulatory reforms, and infrastructure that make Oman attractive to foreign investors.
The bilateral relations between the Oman and Uzbekistan are rooted in mutual respect, shared economic interests, and a commitment to strengthening cooperation across a range of sectors.
The Omani delegation also conducted a number of field visits, including to the American University of Technology in Tashkent, a subsidiary of Ozman Investment Company, and the Innovation Centre under Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technology. These visits served to identify areas for potential collaboration in education and digital transformation.
The delegation visited facilities operated by AKFA Group, a leading Uzbek company involved in industrial manufacturing and education. Meetings were also held with representatives of Uzbek companies specializing in electronic payment systems, e-commerce, and textiles.
Adding further significance to the visit, Minister Al Yousef attended the inauguration of the Tashkent branch of the Golden Integration Oil and Gas Company. The launch coincided with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Golden Integration and Oman’s Seih Al-Sariyah Company, signaling a new chapter of cooperation in the energy sector.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to updating and activating existing bilateral agreements to reflect emerging priorities and global economic trends. The successful session of the joint committee marks a notable step in strengthening Oman-Uzbekistan ties, paving the way for broader collaboration in the years ahead.
