Members of the Uzbek delegation tour an exhibition of Uzbek food and consumer products on the sidelines of their meeting with KCCI, highlighting opportunities in food security and trade.

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 16: The Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) received a trade delegation from the Republic of Uzbekistan on Sunday, December 14. According to a press release issued by KCCI, the delegation was led by the Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, and included the Uzbek Ambassador to Kuwait, Ayubkhan Yunusov, a number of business leaders, local company officials, and members of the press. KCCI lauded the steady growth of economic relations between Kuwait and Uzbekistan over the past decade, noting that bilateral trade has gradually expanded, which reflects strong potential for further trade cooperation between the two friendly nations.

The delegation included representatives of leading Uzbek companies operating in sectors such as agriculture and food processing, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, textiles and apparel, building materials, and furniture. KCCI highlighted that these sectors offer promising opportunities for partnerships with Kuwaiti companies in the areas of trade, food and consumer goods, healthcare, construction, logistics, and investment services, thus creating complementary strengths and potential joint ventures. It reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic cooperation between Kuwait and Uzbekistan, expressing confidence that the discussions would open the door to new opportunities and lasting partnerships benefiting both countries.

Meanwhile, Minister Laziz Kudratov thanked KCCI for the warm welcome and excellent organization, noting that the Uzbek delegation’s visit to Kuwait follows the official visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev earlier this year, which resulted in agreements and memoranda of understanding at the highest leadership levels between the two nations. Kudratov highlighted the tangible progress in bilateral cooperation, noting that the number of direct flights between Kuwait and Uzbekistan has increased to four per week, which has contributed to enhanced travel, trade, and tourism between the two countries. He said that new logistics corridors have been established to facilitate the flow of goods and merchandise between Kuwait and Uzbekistan, thereby positively contributing to the growth of trade volumes. Kudratov emphasized Uzbekistan’s interest in attracting Kuwaiti technology, expertise, and capital to support development plans in several vital sectors, including oil and gas, chemical industries, construction, real estate development, and banking. He highlighted Kuwait’s pivotal role in the region, noting that the Kuwaiti market serves as a natural and strategic gateway for Uzbek products due to its geographic proximity as the closest Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country to Uzbekistan, which enhances trade and transportation opportunities. Kudratov pointed to general legal reforms in Uzbekistan, where taxes are among the lowest compared to other countries, adding that direct investment flows reached $42 billion by 2025. He identified mining, energy, petrochemicals, and information technology as among the most promising sectors in Uzbekistan, and revealed a major project to expand the current capital city with comprehensive services. The minister highlighted Uzbekistan’s potential to contribute to Kuwait’s food security, noting that his country is among the world’s largest agricultural producers.