WNAM REPORT: : In recent years, trade and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and the countries of South Asia has significantly intensified. Key changes in Uzbekistan’s trade with countries in the region over the past year are reflected in the infographic prepared by the CERR.
From 2016 to 2024, the volume of trade between Uzbekistan and South Asian countries increased 2.5 times.
In 2024, Uzbekistan’s total foreign trade volume with South Asian countries reached $2.6 billion. During the same period, Uzbekistan’s exports to the region grew 2.3 times, while imports rose 2.9 times.
Uzbekistan’s main export items to South Asia included:
- electricity – $91 million,
- petroleum products – $175 million,
- transport services – $200 million,
- legumes – $250 million,
- flour – $328 million.
Key imports from South Asian countries included:
- pharmaceutical products – $324 million,
- machinery and equipment – $234 million,
- beef – $124 million,
- chemical products – $86 million,
- textiles and clothing – $65 million.
In 2024, Afghanistan accounted for the largest share of Uzbekistan’s trade with South Asia (41.9%), with exports making up the majority, which makes Afghanistan a profitable trade and economic partner, ranking first in terms of trade turnover with Uzbekistan among South Asian countries – $1.1 billion. Exports of fruits and vegetables to Afghanistan amounted to 67.6 thousand tons worth $124.4 million (3.3% share).
Trade and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and India has also been actively developing in recent years. India ranked second in terms of Uzbekistan’s trade with South Asian countries. In 2024, the volume of foreign trade between the two countries amounted to $981 million.
Pakistan ranks third in terms of trade with South Asian countries. In 2024, Uzbekistan’s exports to Pakistan included:
– food products – $192.6 million (64.4%),
– industrial goods – $57.7 million (19.3%),
– services – $41.6 million (14%),
– textile raw materials – $4.5 million (1.6%),
– silk products – $5 million,
– chemical products – $1.8 million.
Imports from Pakistan in 2024 included: chemical products – $43.6 million, food products – $30.9 million, textile products – $5.7 million, articles of non-precious metals – $5.4 million, machinery and equipment – $3 million and transport services – $1.7 million.
The import structure consisted mainly of pharmaceuticals – 33.7%, potatoes – 8.2%, shampoos, soaps, and other hygiene products – 5.7%, textile products – 5.4%, sesame seeds – 2.8%, machinery and equipment – 2.8%, rice – 1.9%, articles of non-precious metals – 5.1%.
The volume of foreign direct investment and loans from South Asian countries to Uzbekistan for 8 years amounted to $703.6 million. The largest contributions were made by Afghanistan – $331.8 million and India – $308 million.
