MINSK, 14 June (BelTA) – On 14 June, the second day of his official visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maksim Ryzhenkov visited Surxondaryo Region together with his Uzbekistani counterpart Bakhtiyor Saidov, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Surxondaryo Region is the southern region of Uzbekistan bordering Afghanistan and Tajikistan, a key transportation and logistics hub of the country. The regional center is Termez. The region has a great industrial and agrarian potential, and its location on the border makes it Uzbekistan's strategic southern gateway for trade with Central and South Asian countries. Gross regional product exceeded $4.2 billion in 2024.
During his visit to the region, Maksim Ryzhenkov met with the head of Surxondaryo Region Ulugbek Kasymov. The parties discussed the ways of intensifying trade and economic cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the southern region of Uzbekistan, and also with Afghanistan. Special emphasis was placed on supplies of a wide range of Belarusian goods: from foodstuffs to engineering goods. Consideration was given to the prospects for the establishment of joint and assembly production facilities of Belarusian enterprises aimed at entering the markets of neighboring countries.
The minister also toured the Termez International Trade Center and explored its potential for serving as a base for further deliveries of Belarusian products to the countries of the region.
The Termez International Trade Center is Uzbekistan's largest free trade zone, established to facilitate foreign trade, primarily with Central and South Asian countries. The center provides unique terms for trade, including exemption from customs duties and the possibility of using foreign currency in settlements. According to estimates voiced by Termez officials, the center's annual trade turnover could reach $500 million.
The minister also held a meeting with the special representative of the Government of Afghanistan at the Termez International Trade Center to discuss the ways of promoting trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and Afghanistan, including via this center.
Maksim Ryzhenkov also visited a Belarusian logistics and distribution company, a resident of the center. The minister familiarized himself with the activities and development prospects of this enterprise.
The official visit of the Belarusian minister of foreign affairs to Uzbekistan on 13-14 June reaffirmed the parties’ commitment to deepening the bilateral partnership in all areas. The agreements reached during the visit are designed to lay the groundwork for specific projects, including within the framework of the plans to draw up a roadmap of bilateral interaction.
Photos courtesy of the Ministry of Foreing Affairs
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