Uzbekistan expands trade ties with Dubai and Afghanistan

Uzbekistan is experiencing significant growth in its international trade relations, particularly with the UAE and Afghanistan. In Dubai, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce has launched the Uzbekistan Business Council to bolster commercial ties. This initiative follows a period where non-oil trade between Dubai and Uzbekistan reached $2.8 billion, alongside a 21.3 percent increase in active Uzbek companies registered with the Dubai Chamber.

Simultaneously, Afghanistan has emerged as Uzbekistan’s third-largest export destination. During the first half of 2026, Uzbekistan’s exports to Afghanistan totaled $961.5 million, trailing only Russia and China. This shift highlights Afghanistan’s growing role as a regional market and a potential gateway for Central Asian trade, with exchange focusing on electricity, food, construction materials, and industrial goods.