TASHKENT, May 1. /Dunyo IA/. On April 29, the first-ever Forum of Regions of the CIS Member states was held in Tashkent at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

According to the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade (MIIT), the forum brought together representative delegations from CIS member countries and officials from the CIS Executive Committee.

Delivering the welcoming address, Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev emphasized the strategic importance of fostering mutually beneficial interregional partnerships and sustainable business relations built on shared experience and trust. He noted that such cooperation is vital for the long-term development and integration of CIS economies.

Over the past five years, Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover with CIS countries has nearly doubled, exceeding 23 billion US dollars by the end of 2024. Currently, more than 5,500 companies with capital from CIS member states operate successfully across Uzbekistan’s regions. Joint investment and infrastructure projects are being actively implemented in cities and districts throughout the CIS.

To stimulate intra-regional trade, over 130 special economic zones are operating within the CIS, along with newly established cross-border trade zones. Notably, nearly 6,000 interregional agreements have been signed between CIS countries, underscoring the depth of bilateral cooperation.

Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s strong commitment to ongoing economic reforms, the creation of a favorable investment climate, the development of high value-added industries, and the expansion of foreign economic partnerships with CIS states.

In response to global trade dynamics, he proposed several practical measures to boost economic cooperation within the Commonwealth. These include full implementation of the CIS Free Trade Zone Agreement, removal of existing trade barriers, digitalization of trade and freight procedures, and the development of joint industrial cooperation and import substitution projects with active regional engagement.

Key CIS representatives also addressed the forum, including Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Yuri Shuleiko, Deputy Chairman of the Government of Russia Alexey Overchuk, First Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan Khokim Kholikzoda, Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Zhanel Kushukova, and First Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan Choro Seyitov, as well as regional leaders from across the Commonwealth.

As part of the forum’s business program, B2B meetings and negotiations were held, allowing participants to explore specific areas of cooperation and develop promising new initiatives, while also expanding their professional networks.

Following the Forum, more than ten documents were signed, including agreements on the establishment of friendly relations, trade and economic partnerships, scientific and technical cooperation, and cultural and humanitarian initiatives. Additionally, Roadmaps were adopted to guide the further development and expansion of regional cooperation among CIS member states.