Uzbekistan has announced a package of 54 agreements and proposed initiatives with American partners totalling about $12 billion, following high‑level meetings in Samarkand attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Deals and priorities
The Uzbek presidency said the proposals cover a range of sectors including rail, critical minerals, finance and technology. Leadership described the measures as part of a broader push to convert diplomatic engagement into private investment and joint industrial projects.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev outlined a new investor‑friendly approach in which projects would be presented with land, infrastructure, permits and administrative requirements already addressed. He said Uzbek companies would be encouraged to participate as co‑investors and noted the establishment of a direct investment fund to help finance eligible ventures.
“We do not have this kind of format with any other country of the world,”
The remark came as Mirziyoyev described the American‑Uzbek Business and Investment Council as a distinctive mechanism for developing joint initiatives; the council met for its second session with senior officials and US business representatives taking part.
Strategic sectors, longer‑term cooperation
Mirziyoyev identified a set of priority areas for US capital and technology, naming critical minerals, renewable energy, electricity storage, data centres and artificial intelligence. He also proposed a joint trade, investment and technology cooperation programme extending to 2035.
The council is co‑chaired by Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration head, Saida Mirziyoyeva, and the US Special Envoy, Sergio Gor. Officials encouraged US companies to bring investment proposals and practical issues directly to the council so the body can act to resolve obstacles rather than merely discuss them.
Trade growth and implementation focus
The Uzbek presidency reported bilateral trade has risen by 35% since the start of the year, though it did not specify the precise comparison period. Mirziyoyev called for a comprehensive action plan to support implementation of the 54 agreements and initiatives announced in Samarkand.
- 54 agreements and proposed projects announced
- Package valued at roughly $12 billion
- Priority sectors: critical minerals, renewable energy, electricity storage, data centres and AI
Why this matters
The announced package signals an intensification of economic ties between Uzbekistan and the United States, framed around private investment and industrial cooperation. For investors and regional policymakers, the emphasis on critical minerals and energy storage reflects a strategic push to capture value in supply chains tied to electrification and digital infrastructure.
| Area | Role in package |
|---|---|
| Critical minerals | Priority for extraction and supply‑chain projects |
| Renewable energy & storage | Targeted for development and investment |
| Data centres & AI | Technology and digital infrastructure focus |
By preparing projects with core development elements already addressed — land, permits and infrastructure — Uzbekistan is signalling a desire to reduce early‑stage risk and accelerate deployment. The inclusion of a direct investment fund aims to smooth financing for initiatives that meet the eligibility criteria set by the government.
For North American and global markets, such deals merit attention as they can alter supply dynamics for critical inputs and create new nodes for data and manufacturing capacity. The council’s role as a conduit for resolving investment hurdles will be watched closely by companies weighing commitments in a region that has been courting Western capital.
Officials did not provide a line‑by‑line breakdown of the 54 items or a timetable for implementation beyond the call for a detailed action plan. The ultimate impact will depend on which projects move from proposal to execution and on the effectiveness of the council in addressing regulatory and logistical barriers.
