Central Asian powerhouse: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan join forces for $3.4 billion in industrial projects

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will jointly implement 74 industrial projects valued at $3.4 billion, creating 14,600 new jobs, according to Kazakhstan’s government press office.

Out of the 74 projects, 11 have already been completed — nine in Kazakhstan and two in Uzbekistan — employing 4,800 people. Examples of joint ventures include the small-scale production of Chevrolet cars in Kostanay, the Silk Road Electronics household appliance factory in Saran, sewing and textile factories in Shymkent and the Turkestan region, and autoclaved aerated concrete production in Angren.

In total, 65 of the planned projects will be carried out in Kazakhstan, creating 13,600 jobs.

On Oct. 22, Samarkand hosted the 5th Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Interregional Cooperation Forum, attended by the prime ministers of both countries. The forum led to the signing of 76 agreements worth over $352 million, providing for joint projects in energy, mining and geology.

In the first eight months of 2024, trade between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan amounted to $2.5 billion. Astana is also willing to increase exports to Tashkent by over $550 million, covering 40 types of high-value-added Kazakhstani goods.