Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover has exceeded $80 bn for the first time in the country’s history, with exports reaching $33.5 bn, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on Wednesday.
Speaking during a video conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the president also reported that Uzbekistan attracted more than $43 bn in foreign investment, highlighting the growing role of economic diplomacy in driving growth.
Mirziyoyev said Uzbek diplomats are now expected to go beyond political engagement and actively support investment promotion, expand export markets, develop transport and logistics corridors, boost tourism, facilitate legal labour migration and protect the rights of Uzbek citizens abroad.
He announced new performance indicators for ambassadors, including export revenues generated in host countries, tourist inflows and the number of citizens placed in legal employment overseas.
The president stressed that stronger economic diplomacy is key to job creation, higher incomes, improved living standards and economic security, which he described as the foundation of national security.
The conference also noted an expansion in the number of diplomatic staff abroad and salary increases for employees of the foreign ministry.
Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Pakistan and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic ties, with a focus on trade, investment and industrial cooperation.
