The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Uzbekistan held the sixth session of their Joint Committee for Economic and Trade Cooperation, focusing on expanding trade, investment and partnerships in key economic sectors.

The meeting in Muscat was co-chaired by Anwar Al Jabri, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, and Laziz Kudratov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, with senior officials from both countries attending.

Discussions covered increasing bilateral trade, facilitating market access and expanding cooperation in manufacturing, logistics, renewable energy, food security, tourism and education. The Ministers also reviewed progress towards a proposed preferential trade agreement aimed at reducing trade barriers and encouraging investment.

Minister Al Jabri highlighted the importance of building on the previous committee meeting in Tashkent in June 2025 and turning agreements into practical projects. He said Uzbekistan’s industrial capabilities and Oman’s logistics infrastructure offered significant opportunities for cooperation, in line with Oman Vision 2040.

Minister Kudratov said bilateral trade reached US$2.3 million in 2025 and rose by more than 70% to US$3.3 million between January and September 2026. He outlined an ambitious target of increasing trade to US$500 million in the coming years.

He also welcomed plans to increase the authorised capital of the Uzbek Omani Investment Company to US$500 million and said around 30 agreements and documents, covering projects and contracts worth approximately US$5 billion, had been prepared for signing during the Uzbek President’s forthcoming state visit to Oman.

The Committee explored opportunities to develop trade corridors connecting Central Asia with Omani ports, strengthen industrial partnerships and encourage greater private sector participation.

At the conclusion of the session, Anwar bin Hilal Al Jabri, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, and Laziz Kudratov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, signed the minutes of the sixth session of the Joint Committee for Economic and Trade Cooperation.

The document outlines the outcomes of the discussions, priority areas for cooperation and mechanisms for implementing agreed initiatives to strengthen economic, trade and investment ties between the two countries.

Separately, Dr Saud Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, met Dr Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Agriculture, to discuss cooperation in agricultural production, modern technologies, investment and agricultural exports. The meeting also explored opportunities to strengthen food security and develop sustainable agricultural partnerships.

The meeting also explored opportunities to strengthen food security and develop sustainable agricultural partnerships.