Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover reached $66.5 billion in January–October 2025, marking a 21.5% increase compared to the same period last year. Exports rose to $29 billion, imports to $37.5 billion, leading to a reduction in the trade deficit. Food exports showed particularly strong growth (+40%), driven by higher shipments of fruits, vegetables and grains. Chemical products climbed by 21%, while exports of finished goods jumped by 54%, including a 16% rise in clothing. The energy sector also expanded by 10%, and service exports grew by 33%, supported mainly by tourism, transport and IT. At the same time, exports of textiles, fabrics, non-ferrous metals, automobiles and other machinery declined. Although gold exports were nearly halted in October, total shipments over ten months approached $10 billion, setting a new historical high.

On the import side, machinery remains the largest category, with increased purchases of equipment and spare parts. Imports of meat, auto components, cast iron and steel, as well as medical products, also grew sharply, alongside steady increases in industrial and chemical goods. Meanwhile, imports of cars and fuel-related products declined. China remains Uzbekistan’s leading trade partner with a turnover of $13.1 billion, followed by Russia with $10.6 billion. Kazakhstan, Turkey and South Korea also remain among the country’s key trading partners.

A major new logistics hub, Silkway Central Asia, is now under construction near Tashkent in the Yangiyul district of the Tashkent region. The project covers 159.4 hectares and represents an investment of around $300 million. It will feature 172,000 m² of container yards, 167,000 m² of Class A and B warehouses, an 18,700 m² trade and exhibition center, and 28.4 km of new railway tracks. The first phase is scheduled for completion in early 2027. Once operational, the hub will strengthen Uzbekistan’s position as a key transport and logistics center in Central Asia.

The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has completed the integration of its cross-border payment system using the digital yuan (e-CNY) with 10 ASEAN countries and 6 Middle Eastern states.Now, up to 38% of global trade can be settled directly in e-CNY, bypassing the SWIFT network — reducing transaction times from 3–5 days to just about 7 seconds.This marks a major step toward reshaping global financial architecture — with less reliance on the dollar and greater speed and efficiency in international payments.

The Government of Uzbekistan has approved a new framework for the development of transport and logistics centers (TLCs) and transit corridors.

By December 1, 2025, a full inventory will be conducted, and all centers that meet the new standards will be included in the national register.

The minimum area for international TLCs is set at 4 hectares, and for regional centers — 3 hectares.

Infrastructure and equipment standards have also been officially established.

The goal is to improve logistics efficiency and integrate Uzbekistan’s hubs into the UN ESCAP list of dry ports, strengthening the country’s role as a key node in Eurasian trade and transport networks.

Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov announced that the country is considering purchasing vessels from Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

The reason is simple: cargo volumes across the Caspian are growing, and so are queues, which now reach 30–40 days. Having its own fleet would speed up cargo handling and reduce dependence on external operators.

“We have agreed to study and consider the possibility of purchasing ships from these enterprises,” the minister noted.

Earlier, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport and Turkmenistan’s State Service of Maritime and River Transport signed a memorandum of cooperation in shipbuilding.