MINSK, 9 March (BelTA) - Belarus looks to establish an assembly production of BelAZ vehicles in Uzbekistan, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxim Ryzhenkov said on the air of the Belarus 1 TV channel, BelTA has learned.
“We are eyeing very serious projects such as the assembly of BelAZ vehicles. For Uzbekistan, this means building expertise, as there will be a certain level of localization. This represents top-tier competencies. It is also, to some extent, about ensuring their own technological security. Uzbekistan has significant deposits of rare metals and minerals. Of course, having its own production for such a country is not only about achieving a high level of expertise but also about technological security,” Maxim Ryzhenkov said.
He recalled that Belarus and Uzbekistan share a common history. Both nations were both part of the Soviet Union, and contacts between the two republics were quite close. “We got cotton, fruits, and nuts supplied from Uzbekistan. In return, our engineering goods went there. Uzbekistan, by the way, had its own very substantial industry during the Soviet era. Now they are successfully developing it further. So, cooperative ties with this republic functioned were very strong,” the minister noted.
“We are eyeing very serious projects such as the assembly of BelAZ vehicles. For Uzbekistan, this means building expertise, as there will be a certain level of localization. This represents top-tier competencies. It is also, to some extent, about ensuring their own technological security. Uzbekistan has significant deposits of rare metals and minerals. Of course, having its own production for such a country is not only about achieving a high level of expertise but also about technological security,” Maxim Ryzhenkov said.
He recalled that Belarus and Uzbekistan share a common history. Both nations were both part of the Soviet Union, and contacts between the two republics were quite close. “We got cotton, fruits, and nuts supplied from Uzbekistan. In return, our engineering goods went there. Uzbekistan, by the way, had its own very substantial industry during the Soviet era. Now they are successfully developing it further. So, cooperative ties with this republic functioned were very strong,” the minister noted.
Today, the driving force behind the momentum in bilateral relations between Belarus and Uzbekistan is their ambitious development plans. “We are not competing with each other. In many areas, we complement one another. And the growth in trade only confirms that we are very comfortable developing these relations. Exports are growing, imports are growing, and the number of industrial cooperation ties is increasing,” the minister said.
According to him, about 250 enterprises with Belarusian capital are registered in Uzbekistan. A very substantial pool of Uzbek businesspeople is also active in Belarus.
As an example of a joint project, Maxim Ryzhenkov cited the organization of poultry meat production in Uzbekistan. One of the Belarusian companies has opened its branch there. Due to its significance, this project is overseen personally by the top leadership of Uzbekistan.
“We are preparing several very interesting initiatives for the visit of the president of Uzbekistan, including the opening of a Uzbek trade house and the opening, our foodies will be interested, of an authentic Uzbek restaurant. These are small touches, but they show just how deeply and comprehensively relations between our countries are developing,” the Belarusian diplomat added.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Belarus Rakmatulla Nazarov on 9 March. One of the topics on the agenda was the preparation of a visit to Minsk by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
“We would very much like to deepen and expand our cooperation. I mean, what is $2 billion for our countries? Almost nothing. Therefore, we are eager to cover this distance as quickly as your country is capable of,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.
In 2025, trade between Belarus and Uzbekistan amounted to nearly $855 million, which is 34.8% higher than in 2024. The balance for Belarus is positive, amounting to more than $517 million. The upward trend in trade continues in 2026 as well. The trade in services is also growing. In 2025, it increased by 56.1% compared to 2024, amounting to $207.9 million. There are 229 organizations registered in Uzbekistan whose founders are residents of Belarus.
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