Parks Tau and Laziz Kudratov.
Photo: Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade
Uzbekistan and South Africa will begin work on preferential trade and investment protection agreement and establish an intergovernmental commission. In the autumn, around 50 Uzbek companies are expected to travel to Johannesburg as part of a business mission.
Uzbekistan and South Africa agreed to begin work on a preferential trade agreement. This was discussed on 26 August by Uzbekistan’s minister of investment, industry and trade Laziz Kudratov and South Africa’s minister of trade, industry and competition Parks Tau during a video conference.
The agreement could involve reducing or removing duties on certain categories of goods, making bilateral trade easier. The countries have not yet specified which goods could receive preferential treatment.
The sides also plan to establish an intergovernmental commission and prepare an investment protection agreement. They discussed joint projects and technology exchanges in the chemical and mining industries.
In the autumn, around 50 Uzbek companies are expected to travel to Johannesburg as part of a business mission, where they will meet with South African businesses.
The ministers also outlined cooperation plans for 2026−2027 and agreed to continue developing specific projects.
In July, Uzbekistan’s ambassador Ashraf Khodjaev discussed simplifying visa procedures and the possibility of introducing visa-free travel with representatives from Ethiopia and South Africa.
Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and South Africa reached $7.5 million in January-July, more than three times the $2.3 million recorded during the same period last year.
