Fergana Region Seeks to Expand Cooperation with American Companies in Technology and Industry

Uzbekistan and South Korea intend to deepen their partnership in the fields of artificial intelligence, robotics, digital education, and e-government. Discussions on these issues took place on October 14 between Uzbekistan's Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, and South Korean Ambassador Won Dong-yong.

During the meeting, the parties also focused on implementing initiatives proposed at the Central Asia – Republic of Korea summit in September, which was attended by leaders of participating countries.

Opportunities for Technological Development

The two sides explored prospects for expanding the application of artificial intelligence technologies in Uzbekistan, as well as opportunities for developing research activities and involving leading South Korean universities in these efforts. Preliminary negotiations are already underway regarding cooperation with Seoul National University.

In the field of science and technology, the participants discussed the potential for joint projects in robotics and the implementation of AI-based solutions in industrial production. Another area of cooperation will be enhancing digital skills among the population, especially among young people.

The parties considered the option of using South Korean online courses within the framework of the 'Five Million AI Leaders' project. At the end of the negotiations, an agreement was reached on further interaction with relevant organizations and systematic work on promoting the discussed initiatives. This cooperation is intended to contribute to the development of new projects in the fields of digital technologies, science, and education.

The Governor of the Saratov Region, Roman Busargin, announced plans for Russia and Uzbekistan to increase trade, economic, and humanitarian interaction. These plans were voiced following a meeting with the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Russia, Botirjon Asadov.

Busargin noted a significant growth in foreign trade turnover between the Saratov Region and Uzbekistan, which increased by 2.4 times in 2025. Furthermore, the region's exports to Uzbekistan grew by 2.3 times this year, and export volumes in the first half of 2026 increased by almost 12%.

The main goods supplied by the Saratov Region to Uzbekistan include cast iron metals, fertilizers, inorganic chemical products, as well as fats and oils. The Governor emphasized the potential for creating new production capacities and implementing joint projects in various industries.

In particular, the opening of a joint enterprise for the production of spare parts for diesel locomotive engines is planned for November-December 2026. The parties are also considering opportunities to deepen partnership in the fields of industry, trade, and agriculture.

Humanitarian cooperation is also viewed as a promising area. Busargin highlighted the possibilities for interaction between major regional universities that have experience working with foreign higher education institutions. The meeting was dedicated to analyzing the results of current cooperation and the prospects for further strengthening ties between the Saratov Region and Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan and Russia intend to deepen direct interaction between their regions, as well as strengthen industrial cooperation, trade, and investment ties. These issues were discussed on October 6th in Fergana during the plenary session of the third Council of Regions of the two countries.

The event began with the reading of messages from the Presidents of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Russia, Vladimir Putin. The message from the Uzbek leader was presented by the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Jamshid Khodjayev, while the Russian message was delivered by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Denis Manturov.

Khodjayev emphasized that holding the Council in Fergana is of particular importance for developing interregional ties. He noted that the mechanism of cooperation between the regions of the two states has demonstrated practical effectiveness for more than eight years.

The meeting gathered leaders and representatives from 17 Russian regions, representatives from all regions of Uzbekistan, as well as about 400 entrepreneurs from both countries.

According to Khodjayev, all 14 regions of Uzbekistan maintain stable relations with more than 50 subjects of the Russian Federation. The joint portfolio of cooperation projects exceeds 200 initiatives with a total value of almost 6 billion US dollars.

He stated that this confirms that the regions are one of the solid foundations of partnership for achieving strategic goals.

Manturov reported that since the beginning of 2026, the regions of Russia and their Uzbek partners have organized about 100 joint events, including major business forums in both countries. He also invited participants to Omsk, where the fourth Council of Regions is planned.

The plenary discussion included leaders and representatives from the Fergana, Sunikandaryinsk, and Namangan regions of Uzbekistan, as well as the Krasnoyarsk Krai, Altai Krai, Novosibirsk, and Omsk regions of Russia.

One of the practical outcomes of the meeting was the exchange of four documents: three interregional agreements and one commercial agreement. The Fergana region and the Omsk region signed a cooperation agreement in industry. The Sunikandaryinsk region and the Krasnoyarsk Krai agreed on interaction in the fields of trade, economy, science, technology, culture, and humanitarian issues.

The Namangan region and the Republic of Dagestan approved an action plan for implementing the agreement on trade, economic, scientific and technical, and socio-cultural cooperation.

A separate agreement was signed in the investment sector: the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, together with Wildberries, concluded an investment agreement providing for the construction of a Class A logistics complex.

The Council of Regions is considered one of the mechanisms for developing economic interaction between Uzbekistan and Russia. Direct contact between the regions allows the parties to form new business ties and translate interregional agreements into concrete investment and industrial projects.