IRKUTSK, June 12. /Dunyo IA/. In Irkutsk, Consul General of Uzbekistan in Novosibirsk Aslam Akbarov held a meeting with the Governor of the Irkutsk Region Igor Kobzev, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The parties discussed further development of cooperation in trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres, as well as practical steps to implement the Action Plan for 2026–2028, signed in April 2026 following the participation of the Priangarye delegation in the “INNOPROM. Central Asia” exhibition in Tashkent.

According to the Governor, relations between the Irkutsk region and the regions of Uzbekistan have reached the level of a systemic partnership, which is confirmed by the growth of trade turnover and the implementation of joint investment projects.

During the negotiations, the parties also reviewed matters regarding the creation of a wholesale and retail base in Irkutsk for fruit, vegetable, and textile products from the Andijan region, the implementation of a livestock development project with cattle supplies to Uzbekistan, and the organization of direct deliveries of timber from the Irkutsk region.

The Russian side supported the proposal to open an exhibition hall for goods manufactured in the Irkutsk region on the territory of the “Ayritom” FEZ in Termez. The regional governor also expressed interest in supplying wild-grown products, agricultural goods, and fuel pellets to Afghanistan.

By the end of 2025, trade turnover between the Irkutsk region and regions of Uzbekistan grew by 44% and reached 180 million US dollars. Uzbekistan ranks fourth among the region's export destinations. The core of the shipments consists of timber, cellulose, aluminum, medicines and engineering products.

Currently, three investment agreements involving Uzbekistan worth 12 million dollars are being implemented in the fields of hydraulic equipment, wholesale trade and pulp and cardboard production. In addition, Irkutsk companies are developing 11 new projects with a total value of 112 million dollars.

Minister of Economic Development and Industry of the Irkutsk Region, Viktor Tsishkovsky, noted the promising nature of developing industrial cooperation, creating joint technological chains, and implementing projects with high added value.

Russian side also proposed considering the possibility of Uzbek farmers establishing greenhouse complexes in the Irkutsk region and expressed interest in attracting specialists from Uzbekistan to work at the region's gold-mining enterprises.

The parties noted the progressive development of cooperation in the field of tourism. In September 2025, at the “INTOURMARKET-BAIKAL” International Exhibition-Forum in Irkutsk, the tourism potential of Uzbekistan was presented to a wide audience for the first time.

Following the meeting, the governor instructed the Ministry of Economic Development and Industry of the Irkutsk Region to review the voiced proposals within a month and organize targeted online negotiations with their Uzbek colleagues.