Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that he sees real potential to increase trade with Uzbekistan to $2 billion by 2030 during expanded-format talks with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Minsk on 9 July, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko praised the achieved level of mutually beneficial cooperation between Belarus and Uzbekistan, highlighting the spirit of friendship and trust. He noted that the signing of the declaration on establishing strategic partnership between Belarus and Uzbekistan is a historic event that lends special significance to the visit.
“We are successfully implementing the agreements reached in Tashkent in 2024 [during the official visit of the Belarusian president] to increase our trade,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.The head of state pointed out that in 2025, trade grew by more than 35%, and in January–May 26, the growth rates are even higher.
The Belarusian president believes that the two countries have real opportunities to reach $2 billion in trade by 2030, driven by stronger cooperation in engineering, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and several other sectors.
“The president just told me that the conversation we had in a narrow format was worth the trip to Belarus alone. This is because we have agreed on a fundamentally new approach to our relations in areas of cooperation that are important for both Uzbekistan and Belarus,” the head of state said.
“To ensure that our ambitious plans are brought to fruition, the governments have prepared a roadmap outlining the key areas of joint work for the next five years. This means specific volumes, units, responsible parties, and deadlines. Central to this effort is industrial cooperation, which makes a significant contribution to Uzbekistan’s technological sovereignty,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.
For instance, around 1,300 MTZ tractors were assembled in Uzbekistan over the year, with the localization rate for certain models set to surpass 30% shortly. “This is a high level for a start. We expect production to reach 3,000 units annually in the near future. A service network has been established, and there are plans to open a branded training facility,” he said. “I promised the president: if needed, we are ready to welcome your people straight to our assembly line and train them quickly.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko also noted that the first investment project in the agricultural industry was launched two years ago – the establishment of an advanced, full-cycle poultry complex in Tashkent Region, covering everything from hatching eggs to meat processing and the sale of finished products. According to the Uzbek side, this project is developing successfully.
The president also welcomed the interest of Uzbek businesses in establishing modern livestock complexes in Vitebsk Oblast. “Today, we agreed on bringing Uzbek investors, for example, to Vitebsk Oblast, to acquire plots of land. Things are quite well organized there to start working, manufacturing products, and supplying meat, milk, and poultry from there to Uzbekistan,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “For you, this is an opportunity to produce and supply high-quality meat products to Uzbekistan, while for Belarus, it means new jobs and rural development.”
“The growth in the number of such projects will be facilitated by Uzbekistan’s recent accession to the CIS Agreement on Services and Investment. Now we have not only bilateral but also multilateral investment mechanisms at our disposal,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
He emphasized that in developing their cooperation, the parties do not limit themselves exclusively to economic aspects – the development of interregional cooperation, as well as the implementation of joint projects in scientific, technological, social, cultural, and humanitarian domains, are equally important.
Ahead of Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit, Minsk hosted the 3rd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Uzbekistan. “That is a very good initiative,” the president said.
“Speaking of the multifaceted nature of Belarus-Uzbekistan interaction, we must not forget that this was achieved not only thanks to us, men – as it happens, it is only men at the negotiation table today. It is with Uzbekistan that we launched a unique format: the Belarus-Uzbekistan Women’s Business Forum, which has already held three sessions under the auspices of the speakers of our parliaments’ upper houses. I am certain they have everything under control, but our support here wouldn’t hurt, and we fully back these initiatives,” the Belarusian leader noted.
In conclusion, Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized: “The main thing is not to stand still (even if it is just a small step every week or month, so that people can see and appreciate our progress) and not to look for easy ways out, but to come forward with new, timely initiatives and persistently pursue their implementation.”
The president also invited Uzbek citizens to come to Belarus for work with their families: “Let’s work together. Belarusians have a very warm attitude toward Uzbeks, just as citizens of Uzbekistan feel toward Belarusians. We need to make use of this.”
“Let's move toward each other. The political will of the presidents is there, the support is there, so we must act. Act quickly,” the Belarusian leader said.
