TASHKENT, October 19. /Dunyo IA/. The ongoing visit to Uzbekistan by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is leading a delegation that includes representatives of more than 200 American companies, is expected to mark an important step toward strengthening economic ties, expanding trade and attracting investment, including within the C5+1 framework, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

During the visit, Samarkand will host a meeting of the foreign ministers of the five Central Asian countries and the United States, as well as talks with Uzbekistan’s leadership and regional counterparts. Economic cooperation, trade development, private investment, energy security and regional connectivity are also expected to feature prominently on the agenda.

The size of the delegation reflects growing interest among American businesses in the economic opportunities offered by Central Asia. For Uzbekistan, this presents a unique opportunity to expand cooperation with leading U.S. companies, attract new technologies and capital, and advance projects in industry, energy, infrastructure, agriculture and the digital economy.

Uzbekistan and the United States established diplomatic relations on February 19, 1992. Over the decades, their cooperation has expanded to encompass political dialogue, trade, investment, security, education and humanitarian exchanges.

A major milestone came with the official visit of the President of Uzbekistan to the United States in May 2018, which laid the foundation for a new phase of strategic partnership. In subsequent years, cooperation continued to develop both bilaterally and through regional initiatives.

In 2023, the first C5+1 leaders’ summit was held in New York, followed by the second summit in Washington in November 2025. These meetings gave additional impetus to U.S. cooperation with Uzbekistan, including in the trade and economic sphere.

Trade and economic ties remain one of the key pillars of Uzbekistan–US relations. In 2025, bilateral trade exceeded $1 billion.

American businesses are currently represented across various sectors of Uzbekistan’s economy. The country is home to 346 enterprises with US capital, including 143 wholly American-owned companies. Since 2017, 203 such enterprises have been established. Major US companies operating in the Uzbek market include Air Products, General Electric, General Motors, Boeing, Honeywell, Coca-Cola and John Deere.

Regular joint business events are creating additional opportunities for investors. In June 2026, the fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum hosted a U.S.–Uzbekistan business forum attended by representatives of 193 American companies. Talks with representatives of corporations and financial institutions focused on developing business contacts and advancing investment projects.

Cooperation in critical minerals is another important area. In February 2026, Uzbekistan and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding providing for cooperation to ensure resilient supplies of critical minerals and rare earth elements. This partnership opens up opportunities for geological exploration, mining and raw material processing, as well as the development of more resilient supply chains.

Launched in Samarkand in November 2015, the C5+1 format brings together the United States and the five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Its agenda covers economic cooperation, energy, security and humanitarian engagement.

The regional dimension is becoming increasingly important amid efforts to develop transport routes, energy links and resilient supply chains. Coordination between Central Asian countries and the United States makes it possible to discuss not only individual bilateral projects but also the conditions needed to expand regional trade and help businesses access international markets.

In November 2025, a major business programme was held in Washington as part of events marking the tenth anniversary of C5+1. American companies announced commercial agreements with Central Asian countries worth more than $25 billion. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the total value of commercial agreements involving American businesses across the region exceeded $100 billion. These figures reflect the scale of announced business initiatives, whose implementation will depend on further project development and the fulfillment of commitments made.

The B5+1 format, which facilitates engagement between government institutions and the private sector, has become an important complement to intergovernmental dialogue. In February 2026, the second B5+1 Forum was held in Bishkek, bringing together 421 participants, including more than 40 American companies. The forum produced recommendations in six areas: agriculture, banking and finance, critical minerals, trade and information technology, transport, and tourism.

The future development of the Uzbekistan–U.S. partnership will depend on how effectively political agreements are translated into concrete investments, trade contracts and industrial projects. Uzbekistan’s key priorities include attracting capital and technology, expanding export opportunities and developing modern industry. For American businesses, cooperation with the country offers opportunities to operate in a promising market and participate in the region’s economic transformation.

The upcoming visit of the U.S. Secretary of State to Samarkand provides an additional platform for advancing these objectives, both bilaterally and within the C5+1 framework. Its practical impact will be determined by subsequent steps to implement joint initiatives, expand business ties and strengthen economic cooperation between the United States, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries.