H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, and H.E.Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, co-chaired the Egyptian-Uzbek Joint Ministerial Committee for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation in its 7th session, held in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent. This session comes as part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen relations between the two countries.
In her speech, Minister Al-Mashat emphasized that the 7th session of the Egyptian-Uzbek Joint Committee, being held after 15 years, reflects the evolution of relations between the two countries and is a continuation of the historic visit made by H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Uzbekistan in 2018. This visit opened the door to enhancing bilateral relations in various fields, considering both countries’ regional significance and international roles.
Al-Mashat pointed out that the strategic location of both Egypt and Uzbekistan can significantly drive bilateral relations and create extensive opportunities for cooperation. Egypt serves as a gateway for Uzbek exports and investments to Africa and the region, while Uzbekistan is a vital hub for Egyptian exports and investments to Central Asia. The long-standing historical and cultural ties between the two nations lay a solid foundation for robust and constructive collaboration.
Despite the vast potential of Egypt and Uzbekistan, the volume of investments and trade exchange remains below expectations. Currently, only 24 Uzbek companies are investing in Egypt in sectors such as tourism, services, communications, IT, and agriculture. Moreover, the trade exchange volume remains low, highlighting the need for more concerted efforts and coordination to open new avenues for investments and increase trade rates to meet the priorities and needs of both nations. This can be achieved through fostering partnerships between the private sectors of both countries, as well as between public and private sectors.
Al-Mashat stressed that joint government committees play a pivotal role in enhancing investment opportunities and exploring new areas of cooperation. This session covers vital sectors, including trade, industry, investment, electricity, renewable energy, health, agriculture, higher education, IT, and civil aviation.
For his part, the Uzbek Minister of Investment expressed Uzbekistan’s eagerness to develop relations with Egypt and increase joint efforts to raise trade exchange to $500 million in the coming years by removing all barriers and challenges. He also expressed his appreciation for Uzbekistan's invitation to participate in the Cairo International Book Fair.
He noted Uzbekistan’s interest in inviting Egyptian companies to participate in exhibitions in Uzbekistan in 2025 and establishing digital trade platforms that connect businesses in both countries, facilitating partnerships between small and medium-sized enterprises. He also expressed his country's support for launching a joint Egyptian-Uzbek Business Council to strengthen private sector cooperation between the two nations.
The Minister showed a keen interest in attracting Egyptian technology, knowledge, and expertise in electronics, pharmaceuticals, and textiles for the implementation of regionally significant projects. He emphasized that enhancing relations between the commercial banks of the two countries would create a strong foundation for expanding business community activities.
At the conclusion of the committee’s session, the two sides signed four memorandums of understanding. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat signed an MoU with the Uzbek Ministry of Environment and Climate Change for technical cooperation in environmental protection and pollution reduction. Another MoU was signed between Ain Shams University and Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies to promote cooperation between the two institutions in academic programs and joint research activities. Additionally, an MoU was signed between Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, alongside an agreement between the Samarkand region in Uzbekistan and Alexandria Governorate in Egypt to boost commercial, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural relations.
Al-Mashat and the Uzbek Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade also signed the protocol for the 7th session of the Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, which outlined collaboration in 14 developmental sectors, including trade, investment, public-private partnerships, industry, energy, health, agriculture, higher education, ICT, culture, tourism, civil aviation, and transportation.
The Egyptian side attending the committee’s session included Ambassador Tamer Hammad, Egypt’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, along with officials from various ministries. The Uzbek side included Jamshid Urunov, Deputy Commissioner for Protection of Rights & Legitimate Interests of Entrepreneurs; Jusipbek Kazbekov, Deputy Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change; Avazkhan Tadjikhanov, First Deputy Minister of Culture; Jasurbek Choriyev, Deputy Minister of Transport; Umid Mamadaminov, Deputy Minister of Energy; and Sarvarkhon Buzrukhonov, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation.
It is worth noting that Egypt opened its embassy in Uzbekistan in 1995, and the first session of the Joint Committee was held in 1996. The most recent session took place in 2009. H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s visit to Uzbekistan in 2018 marked a significant shift in bilateral relations and laid the foundation for continued development in line with both countries' aspirations and visions.
