Uzbekistan seeks to ramp up its exports

A story from the February 2024 edition of The Steppe

It’s a tough time to be an Uzbek trade official. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has publicly expressed his concern over the country’s export volumes in recent months, replacing Deputy Investment, Industry and Trade Minister Badriddin Abidov, and firing a slew of local officials in a bid to shake up the country’s economic order book. According to Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan should be exporting around 30 percent more than it currently does,

Despite Uzbekistan's efforts in recent years to position itself as a leading player in sectors like energy, minerals and textile production, Tashkent is determined to do more, particularly given the volume of foreign shipments decreased in four regions and two major industries last year.

One of the challenges lies in the fact that half of Uzbek exports go to just four countries: Russia, China, Kazakhstan, and Turkey - meaning the Central Asian nation is eager to diversify and find new partners. Uzbekistan joined the EU’s GSP+ preferential tariff arrangement in 2021, but exporters haven’t fully taken advantage of the range of goods covered by the scheme, according to the Uzbek government.

Another obstacle is the international certification of products, with less than 35% of enterprises in key industries meeting global standards.

President Mirziyoyev has now set ambitious goals, aiming to increase export volume to EU countries to $1.2 billion and nearly doubling the number of product categories exported to the EU. The plan includes implementing 1,700 international standards and 19 regulations by the end of 2024, along with transitioning 1,200 enterprises to global quality standards. Officials failing to meet these targets might find themselves under increasing pressure.

The Uzbek government is also looking to deepen its ties with China, with a view to becoming an export partner for Chinese firms. On a recent visit to China, which was the main focus of Uzbek media in recent weeks, President Mirziyoyev made a detour to Shenzhen to visit EV giant BYD, where joined the manufacturer’s CEO Wang Chuanfu in watching the launch of a BYD plant in Jizzakh. This comes with the right to export Uzbek-manufactured BYD vehicles in Central Asia.  

While some may view this as welcome state focus on exports, others might interpret it as a sign that free-market reforms haven’t had the desired impact. As Uzbekistan strives to become an industrial, high-middle income country at a time of geopolitical insecurity its diversification of trade partners will be key. The scrutiny will be on its commitment to reforms and promotion of private-sector-led growth, as investors and entrepreneurs consider the country for potential partnerships and business opportunities.