MOSCOW, July 11. /Dunyo IA/. Alexandra Perminova, Researcher at the Center for Central Asian Studies of the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences and a member of the Council of Young Scientists, shared with Dunyo IA her views on the outcomes of the official visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Belarus on July 8–9:

— The official visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Belarus continues the trajectory that has been taking shape in Uzbek-Belarusian relations over the past several years. Since 2018–2019, the two countries have significantly intensified their political dialogue and are now seeking to place it on a more sustainable economic footing.

One of the central items on the agenda during the visit was industrial cooperation.

Belarus possesses a strong industrial base, particularly in mechanical engineering, agricultural machinery, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. For Uzbekistan, meanwhile, it is important not only to expand trade but also to develop domestic manufacturing, create jobs, and increase value-added processing. These priorities form an integral part of the country's national development strategies and are fully consistent with the policy course pursued by Uzbekistan’s leadership.

The significance of the visit also lies in the fact that it aligns well with the broader agenda of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), of which both countries are members. Over the past several years, industrial cooperation has become an increasingly important priority within the CIS. In 2023, the organization adopted a corresponding Concept for Industrial Cooperation through 2030, and Uzbekistan actively participated in its development. Tashkent is not merely making use of existing cooperation mechanisms but is also contributing to shaping an economic agenda that reflects its own priorities across the post-Soviet space.

Belarus, like Russia, remains an important direction of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy. It offers a familiar business environment, compatible industrial standards, strong people-to-people ties, and close market proximity. These advantages should be effectively leveraged as instruments for the development of both countries. Only through such practical cooperation will it be possible to achieve the declared goals of increasing bilateral trade and expanding comprehensive cooperation.