Uzbekistan And Tajikistan Form Supreme Interstate Council To Spearhead Ten New Joint Industrial And Economic Projects

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan launch 10 joint projects during Rahmon's state visit. Learn how the Supreme Interstate Council aims to double trade to $2 billion.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 8:52 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Times of Central Asia

A New Era Of Institutionalized Strategic Cooperation

The diplomatic relationship between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan has reached a historic zenith with the inaugural meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council in Tashkent. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev characterized the state visit of President Emomali Rahmon as a landmark event that formalizes a high-level platform for implementing complex cross-border initiatives. This new council is designed to move beyond traditional diplomacy, providing a rigorous mechanism for government agencies and parliaments to synchronize their economic policies. By institutionalizing these contacts, both nations aim to ensure that the rapid pace of bilateral engagement is sustained through formal legislative and executive frameworks, effectively shielding joint projects from regional political fluctuations.

Ambitious Trade Targets And Border Infrastructure Modernization

Trade between the two Central Asian neighbors approached $1 billion last year, a figure predominantly driven by the exchange of finished industrial goods. To build on this momentum, the leaders have set a goal to double this trade volume to $2 billion by the year 2030. Achieving this target relies on the rapid development of the Oybek-Fotekhobod border trade center and the implementation of advanced digital certification systems. The introduction of "E-Permit" mechanisms for transport is expected to significantly reduce logistical bottlenecks, while the modernization of existing border infrastructure will facilitate a smoother flow of agricultural and manufactured products across the frontier.

Launching Ten Pillars Of Industrial Integration

The centerpiece of the visit was a ceremony launching ten joint projects that span the breadth of the regional economy. These initiatives include the establishment of new furniture and leather goods factories, alongside the expansion of household appliance and textile production facilities within Tajikistan. In Uzbekistan, the focus remains on food security and processing, with new plants commissioned for the Fergana and Andijan regions. Specifically, the Surkhandarya region will host new facilities for fruit juice production and metal briquette manufacturing. These projects represent a shift from simple trade to deep industrial cooperation, where raw materials from one nation feed the manufacturing engines of the other.