Thanks to 'INNOPROM.Central Asia,' the Orenburg Region is Actively Developing Trade and Economic Cooperation with Uzbekistan

Representatives of the executive authorities of the Orenburg Region regularly participate in the international industrial Trade Fair 'INNOPROM.Central Asia,' where they meet with top officials from regions across Uzbekistan. These meetings focus on monitoring trade and economic cooperation, as well as outlining future plans. As a result of these efforts, foreign trade turnover between the two regions grew by nearly 20% in 2023 compared to the previous year, and by 13.6% for the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Today, Uzbekistan ranks among the top five major trade partners of the Orenburg Region.

The primary exports from the Orenburg Region to Uzbekistan include fuel and energy complex products, such as diesel fuel, petroleum coke, liquefied propane, and acyclic alcohols. These products account for more than 70% of the region’s total exports to Uzbekistan.

Additionally, exports to Uzbekistan include flat-rolled metal products, ferroalloys, ferrous metal pipes, sunflower oil, wheat and wheat-rye flour, sugar, copper alloys, and railroad cars, among other goods.

In return, the Orenburg Region imports a variety of products from Uzbekistan, including cotton fabric, textiles, fruit and vegetables, and eggs.

More than 50 Uzbek companies have established trade relationships with enterprises in the Orenburg Region. This mutual trade involves a diverse range of goods, spanning from seedlings to specialized industrial equipment.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region actively collaborate with Uzbek partners, supported by the Orenburg Regional Export Support Center ('My Business' Center). These enterprises receive state-backed support for participation in business missions and exhibition events.

The Orenburg Region maintains active cooperation with the regions of Tashkent, Samarkand, Namangan, Surkhandarya, Andijan, and Bukhara in Uzbekistan under signed cooperation agreements. Notably, in 2022, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Association of Light Industry Enterprises of the Orenburg Region and the Hokimiyat of the Jizzak Region.

During 2023 and 2024, high-level negotiations were held with representatives from the Surkhandarya, Samarkand, and Jizzak regions, as well as the cities of Tashkent and Yangul. These discussions outlined various opportunities for industrial cooperation between Orenburg enterprises and Uzbek companies.

Among the most promising areas of cooperation between the Orenburg Region and Uzbekistan are:
·Development of transport-logistics and wholesale-distribution infrastructure within the Special Economic Zone 'Orenburzhye,' enabling the efficient registration, storage, distribution, and transit of fruit and vegetable products imported from Uzbekistan;
·Organization of mutual supplies of agro-industrial complex products and agricultural animals;
·Implementation of joint projects in breeding and genetics for both crop and livestock farming;
·Deep processing of grain, vegetables, and fruits;
·Establishment of twinning partnerships between cities and municipalities in the Orenburg Region and Uzbekistan.

The Orenburg Region is poised to expand cooperation with Uzbekistan across various economic sectors. Significant new projects are already underway, including the construction of an oil extraction plant and modern milling complexes. In addition, white clay enrichment facilities and new pipe-rolling industries are being established, further enhancing the region’s industrial capacity.

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