Uzbekistan Weekly: Uzbekistan deepens US ties, greenlights Trans‑Afghan rail, courts $50B FDI

February 12, 2026 to February 18, 2026

This week's top 10 stories from Uzbekistan, selected from our daily intelligence briefs.

1. Mirziyoyev Heads to Washington for Peace Council Inaugural Summit and Business Talks

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will visit Washington on February 17–19 at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump to attend the inaugural Peace Council meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace on February 19. Uzbekistan, which signed the Council’s charter on January 22 in Davos and joined as a founding member alongside states such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and Kazakhstan, will join discussions focused on Gaza reconstruction, humanitarian assistance and regional stability; the Council is reported to aim at coordinating international financial commitments and possible stabilization force/support to local police.

Beyond the summit, Mirziyoyev is slated to present strategic projects, witness signing of bilateral economic documents with major U.S. companies and financial institutions, and hold meetings with U.S. officials—moves that signal Tashkent’s intent to deepen economic ties with American partners while projecting a constructive role in multilateral Middle East recovery and peacebuilding efforts. No official Uzbek agenda has been released.

Local Coverage: anhor.uz, gazeta.uz, kun.uz, qalampir.uz, uzdaily.uz, uza.uz

From daily briefs: 2026-02-17, 2026-02-18

2. Tashkent Approves Feasibility Study Agreement for Trans-Afghan Railway Linking to Pakistan

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has approved an international agreement to carry out a feasibility study for a Trans‑Afghan railway linking Uzbekistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan, with the Ministry of Transport designated as the lead agency. The trilateral study will examine a corridor running from Termiz through Nayyababad, Maidan Shahr and Logar to the Kharlachi border crossing, spanning more than 700 km across Afghanistan and targeting an annual capacity of roughly 20 million tons. Projected costs have been revised upward from about USD 5 billion to roughly USD 7 billion.

The move formalizes steps toward diversifying Central Asian trade routes to the Arabian Sea and follows creation in 2023 of a joint coordinating office under Uzbekistan Railways in Tashkent to oversee implementation toward the feasibility phase. For international professionals, the approved study signals increased regional cooperation but also highlights substantial economic, security and construction challenges ahead if the corridor is to meet capacity and cost targets.

Local Coverage: qalampir.uz

From daily brief: 2026-02-17

3. Government Targets $50 Billion in FDI with Shift to High-Value, Export-Oriented Projects

The government has launched a targeted $50 billion foreign direct investment plan for projects tied to 2026, directing officials to prioritize high value‑added, export‑oriented manufacturing and efficient use of raw materials and energy. President [name not specified] criticized proposals that would duplicate saturated domestic capacity—citing two planned $40 million yarn plants in Uchqo‘rg‘on despite Namangan already hosting 24 facilities producing 110,000 tonnes (1.5× regional cotton fiber output)—and flagged a proposed 35,000‑ton basalt panel plant in Ohangaron amid 12 existing plants nationwide (six idle, one listed for sale).

The administration singled out low value‑creation regions such as Sirdaryo, where $10 of investment yields only $1 in added value, with similar patterns in Bukhara, Surxondaryo and Qashqadaryo, and ordered agencies to rigorously assess marketability, export potential, value‑add and job creation before admitting projects into the 2026 investment programme. The move signals a shift toward export competitiveness and resource efficiency to attract higher‑quality FDI and avoid overcapacity in low‑value sectors.

Local Coverage: uza.uz

From daily brief: 2026-02-14

4. Tashkent–EU Talks Advance Prep for First Central Asia–EU Inter‑Parliamentary Summit in Samarkand

On 11 February, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met EU Special Representative for Central Asia Eduards Stiprais in Tashkent to coordinate preparations for the inaugural Central Asia–EU inter‑parliamentary summit in Samarkand, framing recent Samarkand and Brussels summits as the start of a deeper strategic partnership and expanded political dialogue. The talks also covered the planned opening of a European Investment Bank (EIB) regional office in Tashkent — presented as a catalyst for a pipeline of bankable projects and smoother financing across Central Asia — and signalled an inter‑parliamentary focus on trade, connectivity, green transition and governance.

Concurrently, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov met EU Ambassador Toivo Klaar to review infrastructure priorities under the EU’s “Connectivity for Central Asia” programme, emphasizing cross‑border digital links and alignment with EU standards, while Investment and Trade chief Laziz Kudratov met Charlotte Adriaen (DG INTPA) and Klaar to prioritise cooperation on digitalisation, transport, critical raw materials and water management. No specific funding or projects were announced, but all parties agreed on intensified practical cooperation and use of EU–Central Asia dialogue and B2B channels to accelerate project delivery and investment-backed technical assistance.

Local Coverage: uzdaily.uz

From daily briefs: 2026-02-12, 2026-02-13

5. Tashkent and London Agree on Joint Roadmap to Expand Trade and Investment Ties

On 17 February President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met UK Trade Envoy to Central Asia and Azerbaijan Lord John Whittingdale and agreed to draft a joint roadmap to deepen bilateral cooperation, prioritizing expanded trade and investment after five years in which trade doubled and Uzbek issuers placed over $15 billion in sovereign and corporate bonds on the London Stock Exchange. Officials emphasized active political and security dialogue, growing people-to-people links — including Presidential Schools and three joint universities — and rising UK tourism to Uzbekistan.

Sectoral priorities for new projects include energy (notably renewables), finance, geology, transport, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, science and education. In parallel, Deputy Prime Minister and Economy and Finance Minister Jamshid Kuchkarov reviewed infrastructure and PPP opportunities with Whittingdale; the ministry signed an MoU with Arup International Projects on urban planning, infrastructure development in Samarqand’s Chelak and capacity building, signaling concrete steps to translate the roadmap into projects.

Local Coverage: anhor.uz, qalampir.uz, uzdaily.uz, uza.uz

From daily brief: 2026-02-18

6. DP World Plans $288M Multimodal Logistics Hub at ‘New Generation’ Industrial Zone in Tashkent

DP World Tashkent announced plans for a $288 million multimodal freight terminal inside the “New Generation” Special Industrial Zone in Tashkent. The project will include a modern container rail terminal, cargo terminal, on-site customs post and a 220,000 sq. m warehouse complex, with services primarily aimed at zone residents to streamline supply chains, speed deliveries and support localization of production.

No timeline or financing details were disclosed, but the scale and integrated rail-linked container handling and bonded warehousing signal a strategic push to anchor logistics capacity in Uzbekistan’s capital region. For international supply-chain and manufacturing professionals, the hub could materially lower lead times and costs for exporters and domestic manufacturers while strengthening Tashkent’s role as a logistics gateway for regional flows.

Local Coverage: uzdaily.uz

From daily brief: 2026-02-15

7. Tashkent and Beijing Advance Plans to Deepen Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation

On 12 February, Uzbekistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Bobur Usmanov met China’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan Yu Jun in Tashkent to coordinate next steps in bilateral and multilateral engagement, including upcoming reciprocal visits and shared priorities. No specific initiatives were announced, but both sides agreed to synchronize schedules and agendas for a busier diplomatic calendar, signaling preparations for potential high-level exchanges and sectoral dialogues.

For international businesses and regional stakeholders, the meeting’s emphasis on enhanced coordination suggests an accelerated pace for official interactions that could influence regulatory timetables and project planning—especially in economic, infrastructure and connectivity sectors—within existing Uzbekistan–China frameworks.

Local Coverage: uzdaily.uz

From daily brief: 2026-02-14

8. ADB-Backed PPP Weighed for Overhaul of Bukhara District Heating Network

Officials in Bukhara are evaluating a major public–private partnership (PPP) to modernize the city’s centralized district heating system, with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) poised to provide financial and advisory support. The review assessed multiple implementation scenarios—CAPEX vs OPEX profiles, financing sources and terms, tariff‑setting parameters, and risk allocation—to identify the most viable, sustainable model based on detailed financial‑economic calculations and institutional analyses.

If implemented, the program is expected to upgrade legacy infrastructure, improve energy efficiency and service quality, and introduce modern management mechanisms to create a financially sustainable framework that can attract long‑term private investment. The ADB’s involvement signals readiness to mobilize both funds and technical assistance to enhance system reliability and energy performance in Bukhara; authorities will select the preferred model after further evaluation.

Local Coverage: uza.uz

From daily brief: 2026-02-13

9. Government Sets 2026 Growth Target, $50B FDI Plan and Project Oversight Platform Announced

At a presidential economic strategy meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan set a 2026 GDP target of $167 billion and 6.6% annual growth, signaling a shift toward higher-value, efficiency-driven expansion anchored in digitalization, AI and innovation. The government reported 2023 GDP growth of 7.7% to over $147 billion, a 15% fall in energy intensity per unit of value added, and a rise in industrial value‑added from 40.7% to 43% over three years, but noted continued low local content in autos (20.7%), electrical equipment (29.3%) and several other sectors despite $12 billion of investment since 2023.

To reach the targets, authorities announced a $50 billion foreign direct investment attraction plan and will place 377 strategic projects worth $165 billion on a new “Unified National/Single National Project Management” platform for three‑year monitoring and tighter governance, with mandated cost reductions and increased local procurement for strategic firms. Policy measures include concessional credit for localization, compensation for technology transfer, a three‑year SME energy‑efficiency program, expanded export promotion and price-stabilization steps ahead of Ramadan. Regional targets for Andijan include 2026 growth plans (industry +8%, services +16.3%, agriculture +5.9%), rising FDI from $2.5bn to $3.5bn, exports to $1.5bn, and specific project pipelines (e.g., $798m of initiatives, three micro‑industry parks, 2,000 ha of intensive orchards) alongside workforce, housing and tourism measures.

Local Coverage: uza.uz, qalampir.uz, uzdaily.uz, kun.uz, gazeta.uz

From daily briefs: 2026-02-14, 2026-02-15

10. Central Asia Positioned as Stability Anchor at Munich Security Conference with Uzbekistan Showcasing Regional Shift

At the 62nd Munich Security Conference, Uzbekistan framed Central Asia as an emerging stability anchor, emphasizing a decade-long turnaround toward open borders, doubled intra-regional trade and revived cross-border mobility, according to Eldor Aripov, director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies. Panels hosted by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and the Caspian Policy Center highlighted practical interdependence in transport, trade, energy transition and supply-chain resilience — including enhanced links with the South Caucasus via the Middle Corridor — with Senate First Deputy Chair Sodiq Safoyev calling connectivity “a security asset.”

Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov reported bilateral meetings with counterparts from the EU, U.S., Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Georgia and said outcomes will inform new medium-term goals and a dedicated Central Asia event at next year’s conference. German President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier signaled Berlin’s intent to deepen ties across trade, investment, green energy and regulatory alignment, which could unlock European financing and technology for cross‑border infrastructure and renewables. Participants also prioritized coordinated climate resilience — notably addressing accelerated glacier melt that threatens long‑term water security and hydropower planning — indicating a shift toward integrated regional policy-making with international partners.

Local Coverage: uza.uz, uzdaily.uz

From daily briefs: 2026-02-14, 2026-02-17

About This Weekly Digest

The stories above represent the most significant developments from Uzbekistan this week, selected through our AI-powered analysis of hundreds of local news articles.

Stories are drawn from our daily intelligence briefs, which synthesize reporting from Uzbekistan's leading news sources to provide comprehensive situational awareness for international decision-makers.