# Uzbekistan trade expansion and infrastructure ties > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uzbekistan-trade-expansion-in-central-asia > Updated: 2026-09-18T13:29:19.000Z. Sources: 22. Developments: 7. In late July 2026, Uzbekistan intensified its regional trade outreach through a dual-track strategy involving Afghanistan and China. By July 27, Uzbekistan had deepened ties with Afghanistan, signing 22 trade agreements worth over $200 million. Officials pledged to raise annual bilateral trade to $5 billion, with Afghanistan becoming one of Uzbekistan’s ten largest trading partners. To mitigate security uncertainties regarding the trans-Afghan corridor to Pakistani ports, Tashkent has also prioritized developing China-based overland corridors as a reliable fallback. Simultaneously, Uzbekistan’s commerce with China saw significant growth. In the first half of 2026, bilateral trade volumes rose 31% to $8.87 billion. Non-gold exports increased by 32.2% to $14.4 billion, driven by services, textiles, mining, metallurgy, and food products. This expansion helped Uzbekistan reach a total of 211 export markets. By late August, financial cooperation with China moved toward large-scale infrastructure. Uzbekistan and the Export-Import Bank of China reviewed a joint project portfolio exceeding $5.7 billion, covering hydropower, water infrastructure, agriculture, and transportation. Trade diversification continued as Afghanistan emerged as Uzbekistan’s third-largest export destination in the first half of 2026, with exports totaling $961.5 million. By early September, trade with Afghanistan continued to climb, reaching $1.2 billion during the first seven months of 2026. According to the National Statistical Committee of Uzbekistan, this growth places Afghanistan as the country’s fifth-largest trading partner, following China, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey. Additionally, Uzbekistan expanded commercial ties with the UAE through the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, which launched the Uzbekistan Business Council to support a non-oil trade volume that has reached $2.8 billion. By early September 2026, the partnership with China evolved into a “comprehensive strategic partnership” characterized by deepened political, parliamentary, and interparty cooperation. Following a meeting between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and a Chinese delegation, bilateral trade volumes were reported to exceed $17 billion. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-18: Eurasian diplomacy: Azerbaijan sovereignty, new trade pacts, and Turkic cultural unions Diplomatic activity spans Eurasia as Azerbaijan marks State Sovereignty Day, Syria and Uzbekistan establish a trade committee, and Pakistan and Uzbekistan target $2 billion in bilateral trade by 2029. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pakistan-and-uzbekistan-seek-to-strengthen-economic-ties ### 2026-09-05: Uzbekistan and China expand strategic partnership and trade ties Uzbekistan and China are strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership, focusing on increased parliamentary cooperation, $17 billion in trade, and expanded investments in energy and education. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uzbekistan-and-china-strengthen-bilateral-partnership-and-trade ### 2026-09-05: Uzbekistan trade with Afghanistan reaches $1.2 billion Uzbekistan's trade with Afghanistan hit $1.2 billion in the first seven months of the year, making Afghanistan its fifth-largest trading partner amid cooling inflation and rising venture capital activity. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tajikistan-and-uzbekistan-report-mixed-economic-data-for-2026 ### 2026-08-25: Uzbekistan expands trade ties with Dubai and Afghanistan Uzbekistan is expanding its trade footprint, launching a new Business Council in Dubai and seeing Afghanistan emerge as its third-largest export market. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uzbekistan-expands-trade-ties-with-dubai-and-afghanistan ### 2026-08-25: Uzbekistan and China Exim Bank expand cooperation on $1B+ projects Uzbekistan and the Export-Import Bank of China are targeting over $1 billion in new projects, including hydropower and transport, to expand a joint investment portfolio currently valued at $5.7 billion. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uzbekistan-and-china-exim-bank-expand-cooperation-on-1b-projects ### 2026-07-30: Uzbekistan’s Trade with China Surges in First Half of 2026 China’s trade with Central Asia grew 6.5% in H1 2026; Uzbekistan’s trade with China rose 31% and its non‑gold exports jumped 32% to $14.4 billion, led by services and manufacturing. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uzbekistans-trade-with-china-surges-in-first-half-of-2026 ### 2026-07-27: Uzbekistan deepens Afghanistan trade ties as it eyes China corridor alternatives Uzbekistan and the Taliban have signed 90 trade agreements worth $1.4 bn, boosting 2026 trade to $916 m, while Tashkent also pursues China‑based corridors as Afghan route uncertainty persists. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uzbekistan-deepens-afghanistan-trade-ties-as-it-eyes-china-corridor-alternatives --- Cite as: Uzbekistan trade expansion and infrastructure ties. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uzbekistan-trade-expansion-in-central-asia