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Uzbekistan Airways invites you to explore two vibrant cities of Southeast Asia — Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok — where unforgettable experiences, culinary discoveries, and tropical nature await.

✈️ Kuala Lumpur – A Shopping Capital and Urban Jungle

Kuala Lumpur offers something for every taste and budget, with its modern infrastructure ensuring a comfortable stay. Where else can you walk through the jungle, climb the Petronas Towers, and try real durian — all in one day?

Flights from Tashkent to Kuala Lumpur operate twice a week — on Wednesdays and Sundays, with return flights the following day.

Seasonal bus routes have been launched on the Tashkent – Cholpon-Ata (Issyk-Kul) line, according to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport.

Buses depart daily at 3:00 PM from Tashkent. Tickets can be purchased for 300,000 Uzbek soums on the website avtoticket.uz, or via the ATTO and UzBus mobile apps. The route is operated by Uzautotrans Service.

Issyk-Kul is the largest high-altitude lake in Kyrgyzstan, nestled in the mountains. It is known for its crystal-clear water and stunning natural scenery. Last summer, the lake welcomed over 725,000 tourists.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Azerbaijan plans to build a tourism center in Charvak.

Defender the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13.

This will be the first edition of the tournament held in an expanded 32-team format, divided into eight groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage.

Manchester City’s Group G Fixtures:

Full Manchester City Squad:

Goalkeepers:
Bettinelli (13), Ortega Moreno (18), Ederson (31)

Defenders:
Dias (3), Stones (5), Ak...

Uzbekistan has launched a new project to introduce a luxury tourist train called The Samarkand Express. The initiative is led by JSC Uzbekistan Railways and is being implemented with the involvement of foreign direct investment.

The total investment in the project is expected to reach $25 mln, with $10 mln in foreign funding planned for 2025. The project spans from 2024 to 2026.

As of now, the exterior design of one luxury carriage has been fully completed. It will soon be sent to Italy for full interior outfitting and finishing.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Uzbekistan and China will launch...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Pedro Vargas, Chairman of the Board of the Euronews media holding, to discuss the possible opening of a Euronews office in Tashkent, according to the presidential press service.

Mirziyoyev expressed support for the plan to train local journalists through the Euronews Academy program.

Euronews is an international news channel founded in 1993 in Lyon, France. It broadcasts in 13 languages, including English, French, Russian, and Arabic. The channel operates 24/7 and reaches 400 million households in 160 countries.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Nuclear Energy Agency Uzatom and French engineering firm Assystem plan to establish a joint venture...

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are set to strengthen investment cooperation through a $5bn resort development project, as part of a broader agenda to expand economic ties.

During the Tashkent International Investment Forum 2025, the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan signed an agreement with Azerbaijan’s Agalarov Development. The deal covers the construction of Sea Breeze Uzbekistan, an all-season resort in the Bostanlyk district of Tashkent region.

The large-scale project will span 577 hectares, including 100 hectares in the initial phase. It is expected to boost tourism infrastructure, generate new jobs, and attract foreign visitors.

The agreement was signed in...

Russia intends to establish pharmaceutical manufacturing in Uzbekistan, according to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, TASS reports.

The announcement came during a working group meeting focused on boosting trade turnover between Russia and Uzbekistan.

“The Russian side is preparing a list of pharmaceutical products for localisation, with guaranteed procurement planned from 2025 to 2034,” the ministry confirmed.

Earlier, Russian company BioVitrum revealed plans to produce paraffin in Uzbekistan. The project may also include the construction of a warehouse and research centre.

Kursiv Uzbekistan previously reported that...

At TIIF 2025, a dedicated panel session highlighted Uzbekistan’s push to join the World Trade Organization by 2026, linking the accession process to broader investment climate reforms.

The session, Attracting Sustainable Investment: from Reform to Success, brought together officials from the OECD, ADB, EU, and the Uzbek government. ADB Country Director Kanokpan Lao-Araya said the bank’s $14 bn portfolio in Uzbekistan now includes efforts to integrate the country into regional and global value chains, with WTO accession as a key target.

OECD representative Fares Al-Hussami noted that Uzbekistan is revising legal provisions, including exclusive state export rights, to create equal conditions...

The Azerbaijan–Uzbek Investment Company plans to boost economic cooperation by investing $1–25 mln in minority stakes across diverse sectors in both countries, according to its Director, Nazim Gadzhiev.

$300mn Ritz-Carlton Complex and Twin Cultural Centres

Speaking at the Tashkent International Investment Forum 2025, Gadzhiev confirmed that the company has already reviewed over 100 potential projects. Fifteen are under detailed analysis, and six have received board approval. The company opened its Tashkent office last year and is now launching one in Baku to improve access to the Azerbaijani market.

The panel session, titled Azerbaijan – Uzbekistan: Vectors of Economic Partnership, outlined...

German automaker Volkswagen is officially entering the Uzbek market, according to Martin Sander, Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing and After Sales at Volkswagen Passenger Cars, who shared the news on LinkedIn.

Volkswagen plans to launch semi-knockdown (SKD) assembly operations in Uzbekistan in partnership with Alyans Auto, a subsidiary of Uzavtosanoat. The contract between the two parties has already been signed in Uzbekistan.

The auto giant intends to offer Uzbek consumers eight sedan models. Sander described Volkswagen’s entry into the market as a strategic expansion.

«The strength of the brand resonates with Uzbekistan’s growing...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed support for the implementation of major infrastructure projects involving Afghanistan, including the construction of the Surkhan–Puli-Khumri power transmission line and the Trans-Afghan railway.

These topics were discussed during a meeting with Noureddin Azizi, Afghanistan’s Acting Minister of Industry and Trade, who visited Tashkent to participate in the International Investment Forum.

The two sides also discussed strengthening cooperation in trade, transport, energy, agriculture and mineral resources. President Mirziyoyev emphasised the importance of establishing the Hairatan Industrial Center, which is expected to produce pharmaceuticals, furniture, textiles, and construction materials, as well as process agricultural products.

Uzbekistan’s U-17 national football team played a friendly match against their peers from Chile, securing a 1–0 victory. The only goal of the game came in the 35th minute, scored by forward Azizbek Yerimbetov.

Strong Start and Solid Defensive Play

From the opening minutes, Uzbekistan’s young squad showed composure and discipline on the field. The team effectively controlled the midfield and denied the Chileans any real chances near goal. Following a sharp run down the wing, Yerimbetov scored with a precise finish to put Uzbekistan ahead.

Uzbekistan Starting Lineup

The starting eleven included: Shokirov, Hakimov, Bakhodirkhonov (captain), Khusanov...

Google and OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, have reached an agreement for OpenAI to use Google Cloud’s infrastructure to train and deploy artificial intelligence (AI) models, Reuters reported.

The deal came as a surprise to many in the tech industry. ChatGPT is often seen as a direct competitor to Google’s own AI products — and even to its core search business. Experts have long warned that the rise of AI chatbots could reduce reliance on traditional search engines and potentially disrupt Google’s business model.

Details of the agreement have not been disclosed. However, Reuters noted that the partnership will...

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a $25 mln loan for Uzbek pharmaceutical company and medicine distributor Meros Pharm, according to a statement from the bank’s press service.

The company plans to use the loan to expand its warehouse infrastructure, which will enable Meros Pharm to manage supply during periods of peak demand better and reduce delivery times.

The EBRD noted that this financing will also contribute to greater transparency in Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical sector and improve access to high-quality medicines for people in the country’s regions.

To date, the EBRD’s total investments in Uzbekistan have...

Uzbekistan’s Nuclear Energy Agency Uzatom and French engineering firm Assystem plan to establish a joint venture in Tashkent, according to a press release from the agency. The two sides have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The initiative was also discussed during a meeting in Tashkent between Uzatom Director Azim Akhmedkhadjaev and Assystem’s Senior Vice President for International Affairs, Christian Jeannot.

The joint venture is expected to provide technical support for the construction of a small nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh region. It will assist in selecting engineering solutions and integrating them into a unified development concept.

The...

Photo: Press Service of the President of Uzbekistan

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with the heads of several major Chinese companies, including China State Construction, China General Nuclear Power, CAMCE, Goldwind and ZTO Express.

China State Construction

With the head of China State Construction, the President discussed joint projects in Tashkent, including road modernization and the construction of cultural facilities. The parties agreed to establish a new industrial zone in the Tashkent region and develop new highways.

China General Nuclear Power

Talks with China General Nuclear Power focused on the mining industry and...

At the Tashkent Investment Forum, Uzbek and international experts discussed the planned establishment of the Tashkent International Commercial Court (TICC), according to the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade (MIIT).

Launching such a court would provide foreign investors with access to a common law-based legal system, which is more familiar to many international companies.

«The creation of TICC gives investors a real choice. The presence of arbitration, an economic court, and now a dedicated international commercial court means Uzbekistan is building a comprehensive legal environment for investors,» said Diana Bayzakova, Director of the Tashkent International...

The Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF) 2025 continues to position Uzbekistan as a rising hub for global investors. Since its launch in 2022, the forum has resulted in 357 investment agreements worth $44 bn. Of those, 57 projects are already operational.

In TIIF 2024 alone, $26.6 bn in agreements were signed, a clear sign of growing global confidence in Uzbekistan’s economy. Against this backdrop, Kursiv Uzbekistan spoke with Oybek Shaykhov, Secretary General of Europe-Uzbekistan Association for Economic Cooperation (EUROUZ), about the country’s evolving investment landscape.

— Uzbekistan is becoming more attractive to foreign investors. What, in your view, are the...

Freedom Pay continues to strengthen its contribution to the growth of the digital economy in Central Asia. In early June, Nazokat Rashidova, CEO of Freedom Pay in Uzbekistan, spoke at two major E-GATE conferences supported by the World Bank — on June 5 in Dushanbe and June 10 in Bishkek.

June 5, Dushanbe – Opportunities for Women in the Digital Economy

At the Dushanbe conference, Nazokat Rashidova participated in a panel discussion focused on the role of women in digital entrepreneurship. In her remarks, she highlighted that e-commerce and online payment services open new business opportunities for...

In one of the headline clashes of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Argentina and Colombia played to a hard-fought 1–1 draw. The emotionally charged match, held as part of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification, showcased fierce competition between two regional football powers.

First Half: Visitors Strike First

The Colombia national football team started strongly and opened the scoring in the 24th minute through Luis Díaz, who cut in from the left wing, beat multiple defenders, and fired a shot into the far corner of the net past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. The Argentina...

Uzbekistan’s economy is projected to grow by 5.9% in 2025, according to analysts at the World Bank (WB). The same growth rate is expected in 2026.

In 2027, the country’s GDP is forecast to expand by 5.8%.

The World Bank also expects economic growth in Europe and Central Asia to slow to 2.4% in 2025. However, regional GDP is projected to recover slightly to 2.6% in both 2026 and 2027.

World Bank experts warn that the global economy will decelerate to 2.3% this year, due to rising trade tensions and political challenges.

«Shocks have...

The triumph of Uzbek football became an international event, with foreign leaders in attendance at the historic match held at Bunyodkor Stadium.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev personally attended the national team’s final qualifying match against Qatar on June 10, 2025. The game ended in a confident 3–0 victory for Uzbekistan, marking the team’s historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent became a stage not only for sporting success but also a celebration of national pride. Speaking to the players and fans, the President emphasised that this achievement was the result of courage...

At the Milliy Stadium in Tashkent, the Uzbekistan national football team played its final match of the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, defeating Qatar 3–0.

Timur Kapadze’s squad had already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup ahead of this match. Nevertheless, the White Wolves fielded their full starting lineup: Utkir Yusupov in goal; defenders Abdukodir Khusanov, Akmal Mozgovoy and Husniddin Alikulov; midfielders Alijanov, Khamrobekov, Masharipov, Nasrullaev, Turgunbaev, and Abbosbek Fayzullaev; and striker Eldor Shomurodov leading the attack.

First Half: Turgunbaev Opens the Scoring

Uzbekistan took control early in the game. Azizbek Turgunbaev opened the scoring...

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced plans to open its first regional office in Central Asia, selecting Uzbekistan as its base. The announcement was made by Davide Monguzzi, Senior Loan Officer at the EIB, during the Tashkent Investment Forum.

«Our priority is cross-border infrastructure — roads, railways, and energy. We support initiatives that promote regional integration and cooperation beyond national borders,» said Monguzzi.

The EIB is currently collaborating with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport on a number of infrastructure projects, including road construction in Karakalpakstan and the Samarkand region.

The bank aims to mobilise other...