On June 27, during the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting in Minsk, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev openly spoke about the serious negative consequences of sanction policies for the country’s economy.
“Today, my colleagues expressed their views on the difficult situation in the global economy. In Uzbekistan, we fully feel the negative effects of rising protectionism and sanction policies, disruptions in trade and logistics chains, and declining investment activity from foreign partners,” Mirziyoyev emphasized.
How Sanctions Affect Uzbekistan’s Economy
Political restrictions and trade barriers are hindering the development of Uzbekistan’s foreign economic relations, reducing investment flows, and creating logistical challenges.
In other words, the current situation limits the country’s full integration into the global economy and requires new strategic approaches.
Despite the challenges, Uzbekistan’s trade with the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has grown by 80% over the past four years. The total trade volume now stands at around $18 billion annually, representing approximately 25% of the country’s total foreign trade.
Trade Growth and Joint Projects
Most of this growth comes from increased exports of industrial products. Over the past few years, the number of joint ventures and projects with EAEU partners has tripled.
The Eurasian Economic Commission identifies mechanical engineering, the chemical industry, and the light industry as the most promising areas of cooperation with Uzbekistan.
Digital Technologies to Support Business
President Mirziyoyev emphasized that digitalization of trade is one of the key directions for cooperation.
The introduction of digital labeling systems and new logistical technologies helps combat counterfeiting and reduces customs clearance time, according to various sources, by 30–40%. This makes business operations more efficient and trade more transparent.
Uzbekistan also plans to join the EAEU’s unified information system for border checkpoints, which would streamline border crossing and improve monitoring procedures.
Supporting Agriculture and Food Security
Another strategic direction is agricultural cooperation. Uzbekistan has proposed an EAEU-wide Agro-Cooperation Program, aimed at implementing advanced technologies, simplifying product movement, and expanding the “green corridor”. This is particularly important for the export of fruits and vegetables — a core part of Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector.
Labor Mobility and “Work Without Borders”
Currently, more than 1.5 million Uzbek citizens are employed in EAEU countries.
To improve labor mobility, Uzbekistan proposes harmonizing professional standards and qualification requirements. The country also intends to join the “Work Without Borders” platform, developed by the EAEU, to make job placement abroad easier and more transparent.