Uzbekistan has successfully completed bilateral market access negotiations with the United Kingdom, marking another significant milestone in the country’s pursuit of World Trade Organization membership. The UK became the 24th country to conclude such negotiations with Uzbekistan, a development that underscores growing international alignment on the Central Asian nation’s integration into global trade structures.
The breakthrough followed intensive discussions held in London at the end of April 2025. Both delegations worked through outstanding tariff schedules and market access conditions during these talks. According to special presidential representative for WTO affairs Azizbek Urunov, “At the end of last month we were in London to conduct bilateral negotiations with the British side. Now I am pleased to announce their completion. Since then we have completed internal procedures and are preparing to sign the corresponding protocol during the 10th Working Group session in Geneva, which will take place on June 12, 2025.”
Technical support bolsters regulatory alignment
Beyond the immediate market access terms, the bilateral agreement unlocked expanded technical cooperation. Britain has committed to amplified assistance in supporting Uzbekistan’s WTO integration process through a framework linked to the World Bank’s economic growth and development initiative. The collaboration will focus on strengthening institutional capacity and building expertise among Uzbek specialists in international trade — practical investments that can help align domestic regulations and business practices with global trade standards.
UK officials described Uzbekistan as a key strategic partner in Central Asia, suggesting this agreement reflects deeper economic relationship-building ambitions beyond formal WTO protocol requirements. Both sides expressed interest in broadening and deepening commercial ties across multiple sectors.
Accelerated timeline for final negotiations
In May 2025, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev directed the negotiating teams to accelerate the accession timeline. The directive called for completing all remaining bilateral negotiations with nine additional WTO member countries before year-end 2025, conducting two further Working Group sessions, and finalizing the draft working group report. While 24 countries have now concluded their bilateral negotiations with Uzbekistan, several WTO members remain on the outstanding list.
Urunov acknowledged the remaining work: “To completely finish bilateral negotiations, there are still several WTO member countries remaining.” The completion of UK negotiations represents tangible progress, yet the pace toward full accession will depend on swift resolution with the remaining counterparts.
Strategic significance for international business
For international companies assessing Central Asian market opportunities, Uzbekistan’s trajectory toward WTO membership carries substantial implications. Upon accession, the country would operate within a binding rules-based trading framework with enforceable dispute resolution mechanisms and strengthened intellectual property protections. Companies in manufacturing — including construction materials, furniture, textiles, leather goods, and home appliances — would benefit from greater regulatory transparency and predictability. The UK’s commitment to technical support also signals improving capacity for implementing international trade compliance standards, critical infrastructure for organizations planning supply chains or establishing production facilities in the region. As Uzbekistan moves closer to membership, the investment climate in Central Asia becomes increasingly attractive to businesses seeking stable, rule-governed trading environments.
