Saida Mirziyoyeva highlights key milestones in Uzbekistan’s WTO journey

Saida Mirziyoyeva, the eldest daughter of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and a Presidential Assistant, has provided an update on Uzbekistan's progress toward joining the World Trade Organization (WTO). She shared the latest developments through her social media accounts.

"The year 2024 is a turning point for Uzbekistan's accession to the WTO," Mirziyoyeva stated, emphasizing the significance of ongoing economic reforms spearheaded by President Mirziyoyev. She highlighted that the WTO Working Group convened for two critical meetings, which resulted in the preparation of a draft Working Group Report. She added, "We have successfully completed bilateral negotiations with 15 countries, including the United States, China, and Japan, leading to the signing of 23 agreements."

Mirziyoyeva also noted the adoption of 20 significant laws within a short time frame, aimed at enhancing transparency in business operations and fostering fair competition.

"These reforms are essential for aligning Uzbekistan’s economic policies with international standards," she remarked.

"Uzbekistan is committed to maintaining this momentum," she stressed, expressing optimism about achieving full WTO membership. She explained that joining the WTO would "significantly boost the country’s investment appeal" and facilitate the integration of Uzbek businesses into regional and global value chains. Concluding her update, she stated, "Our ultimate goal is to improve the welfare of the Uzbek people, create quality jobs, and transition to a more efficient economic management system."

Uzbekistan initially applied for WTO membership in 1994 but accelerated its efforts starting in 2020. Recent milestones include concluding bilateral negotiations with Pakistan and Thailand and signing a protocol with the United States on December 19, 2024, to finalize market access discussions.