Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The latest meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan was held in Khiva.

In April, a government delegation led by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, Kohir Rasulzoda, arrived on a visit to the Khorezm region.

The meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, co-chaired by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, Kohir Rasulzoda, took place in the city of Khiva.

During the session, it was noted that Uzbek-Tajik cooperation has entered a new phase in recent years, with allied relations between the two countries being steadily strengthened in practice. A key role in this process is played by the trust-based relationship and political will of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon.

The meeting focused on reviewing the implementation of promising projects aimed at further expanding cooperation in trade and economy, investment, transport, energy, industry, agriculture, and other areas.

It was emphasized that the volume of mutual trade has doubled over the past five years. The number of joint ventures has exceeded three hundred and continues to grow. However, the current level of trade turnover still does not fully reflect the potential of both sides, and significant untapped opportunities remain.

Furthermore, the leaders of the two countries have tasked their governments with increasing bilateral trade to US$2 billion by 2030.

In this regard, the participants stressed the importance of deepening industrial cooperation, implementing joint projects in transport and communications, continuing mutually beneficial and effective cooperation in water resources and energy, advancing food security initiatives, developing the agricultural sector, and intensifying interregional cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, a protocol was signed summarizing the outcomes of the twelfth session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Tajikistan.

In addition, the Prime Ministers of both countries jointly visited Ichan-Kala in Khiva. This unique city, preserved in its original form in Central Asia and recognized as an “open-air museum,” left a deep impression on the Tajik delegation.