Aegean Mineral Exporters target Uzbekistan for strategic growth

The Aegean Mineral Exporters' Association (EMIB) is launching its 2026-2030 strategic plan with a sectoral trade delegation to Uzbekistan. Scheduled for September 7-10, 2026, in Tashkent, the mission aims to strengthen the Turkish natural stone sector's position in the Central Asian market.

EMIB Chairman İbrahim Alimoğlu identified Uzbekistan as a strategic market due to its large-scale infrastructure investments and economic reforms. A primary focus for the delegation is the ‘Yangi Tashkent’ (New Tashkent) project, a massive urban development initiative covering 20,000 hectares.

The move follows significant growth for the association, which reported annual exports of $1.519 billion, an 11% increase. Notably, EMIB surpassed its $1.5 billion export target for the end of 2026 five months ahead of schedule.