India-Uzbekistan Business Forum 2026: Key Highlights & Economic Partnerships

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal addressed the India-Uzbekistan Business Forum in New Delhi on 3rd August 2026, reinforcing the deep-rooted India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership and calling on businesses from both nations to expand trade and investment ties.

Key Highlights of India-Uzbekistan Business Forum 2026 

1. Core Vision: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal called upon businesses from both countries to "Co-invest, Co-manufacture, and Co-innovate."
2. Bilateral Trade Target: He set a goal to double bilateral trade over the next three years, from the current level of approximately USD 1.5 billion.
3. Policy Driver: He highlighted the recently concluded Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and Uzbekistan as a key driver to boost investor confidence, reduce risk, and secure long-term capital flows.

Sectoral Opportunities Under the India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership

1. Mining and Mineral Sector

Uzbekistan offers extensive opportunities for Indian investment in mineral exploration and mining operations.

2. Textiles and Garments

Uzbekistan's strength lies in abundant raw cotton production, while India brings advanced textile manufacturing and design leadership. The two can jointly expand into finished garment manufacturing, fashion design, and global retail export markets.

3. Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

Leveraging India's status as the "Pharmacy of the World," the Minister proposed support for Uzbekistan's healthcare modernisation through affordable essential medicines, medical devices, diagnostics, telemedicine, and capacity building for doctors and paramedics. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal also proposed reviving traditional medical links through Ayurveda, Yoga and Unani systems.

4. Agriculture and Food Processing

Both countries can jointly develop cold chain infrastructure, agri-tech solutions and food packaging systems, building resilient global agricultural value chains that benefit farmers in both nations.

5. IT, Digital Economy and Advanced Manufacturing

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal noted India's willingness to help build Uzbekistan's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) stack across Fintech, AgriTech and MedTech. He also pointed to collaboration opportunities in engineering components, automotive supply chains and advanced manufacturing systems.

Trade Facilitation and Policy Measures

To enable seamless commercial exchange under the Strategic Partnership, Shri Goyal advocated for:

1. Elimination of Trade Barriers: Dismantling non-tariff barriers and streamlining cross-border transactions.
2. Standards Mutual Recognition: Aligning product testing, quality approvals and certification mechanisms between regulatory bodies of both countries.
3. Digital Customs Integration: Fully digitalising customs procedures to reduce transit timelines and costs.
4. Efficient Logistics Routes: Developing shorter, time-bound transit corridors connecting Central Asia with South Asia.