Khorezm region‘s ambitious push to deepen commercial and educational ties with Turkey has yielded concrete results, with regional delegations establishing direct business connections and exploring concrete investment opportunities across manufacturing, logistics, and tourism sectors. The groundwork laid during recent visits to Istanbul and Trabzon signals a significant step toward transforming Central Asian – Turkish regional partnerships from high-level diplomacy into working commercial relationships.
From policy commitments to on-the-ground partnerships
A delegation comprising tourism and early childhood education officials, leadership from Urgench State University, and regional entrepreneurs traveled to Istanbul and Trabzon to assess partnership opportunities and explore the Turkish business ecosystem firsthand. The visit followed broader strategic initiatives aimed at expanding Central Asian – Turkish cooperation frameworks, with particular emphasis on establishing working relationships at the regional level rather than relying solely on capital-based negotiations.
In Istanbul, the delegation met with regional governor Davut Gül to discuss concrete mechanisms for bilateral cooperation. The discussions centered on expanding inter-regional business networks, increasing tourism flows between regions, and creating structured platforms for private sector engagement. A critical component of the visit involved touring the İkitelli industrial zone — one of Turkey’s major manufacturing hubs — where delegation members examined production infrastructure, cluster systems, and investor conditions to understand how similar models might function in Uzbekistan’s economic zones.
B2B meetings unlock manufacturing cooperation potential
A business forum organized jointly with Turkey’s Association of Independent Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (MÜSIAD) brought together entrepreneurs from both countries to discuss specific cooperation projects. Participants explored partnerships in industrial cooperation, textiles, building materials, and related services — sectors where Central Asian regions have demonstrated capacity for development and where Turkish expertise and investment could prove catalytic. Rather than abstract discussions, these meetings generated preliminary agreements on concrete industrial projects and investment opportunities.
In Trabzon, delegation members engaged with city leadership including Mayor Tahir Şahin to discuss trade — economic cooperation with Black Sea region partners, particularly in logistics and tourism. Meetings with Trabzon’s tourism and culture directorate focused on joint promotion of tourism potential, recognizing that both regions offer distinct historical and cultural attractions that could benefit from coordinated marketing and transportation infrastructure improvements.
Education and cultural corridors take shape
Parallel to business discussions, the delegation negotiated education partnerships with Istanbul University covering academic exchange, joint research, and student mobility. These commitments represent long-term human capital development, with implications for knowledge transfer in business, manufacturing, and technology sectors. The delegation also established frameworks for organizing reciprocal cultural and tourism events — «Days of Culture and Tourism» — to be held alternately in Istanbul, Trabzon, and Khiva.
Infrastructure improvements enable sustained engagement
A key outcome of the visits was agreement to increase direct air connectivity. Additional flights on the Urgench – Istanbul route will be added, while new direct flights between Urgench and Trabzon are being organized. These infrastructure improvements represent critical enablers for sustained business relationships, reducing transaction costs and travel time for entrepreneurs conducting regular cross-border activities. Additionally, preparations are underway for a return visit by a Turkish business delegation to Khorezm region, establishing a structured cycle of bilateral engagement.
Strategic context: Broader Uzbekistan–Turkey economic expansion (Khorezm region expansion)
The Khorezm region’s initiative aligns with broader Uzbekistan – Turkey strategic partnership initiatives. At the national level, bilateral trade exceeded three billion dollars in 2025, with over 2,200 joint ventures with Turkish capital currently operating in Uzbekistan. These regional delegations now translate national-level commitments into practical regional economic cooperation, with both governments tasking regional administrations to develop detailed roadmaps for implementing partnership agreements. The visits reflect a deliberate strategy to broaden cooperation beyond capital-based relationships and leverage Turkey’s advanced business infrastructure, manufacturing expertise, and export networks for mutual economic benefit.
Relevance for international business actors
For international companies in furniture, construction materials, textiles, interior design, and related manufacturing sectors, this development signals expanding opportunities in Central Asia’s fastest-growing regional economies. Khorezm region and other Uzbek regions are actively seeking foreign investment, technical partnerships, and supply chain integration. Turkish success in establishing working relationships — combining regional industrial zones, business associations, and structured B2B platforms — offers a replicable model for other international companies seeking to enter or expand in Central Asian markets. The emphasis on education partnerships and infrastructure improvements creates conditions favorable for long-term commercial presence, while increasing direct transportation links reduce operational friction for trading companies and logistics providers operating across these regions.
