Uzbekistan and South Africa are preparing the ground for preferential trade

Uzbekistan and South Africa have begun developing a preferential trade agreement. This issue was discussed on August 26 during a videoconference between Uzbek Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Laziz Kudratov and South African Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Parkes Tau.

This agreement aims to facilitate bilateral trade by reducing or eliminating customs duties on certain categories of goods. The specific list of goods eligible for the preferential treatment has not yet been disclosed.

Concurrently, the countries intend to establish an intergovernmental commission and draft an investment protection agreement. The parties also discussed potential joint projects and opportunities for technology exchange in the chemical and mining industries.

This fall, approximately 50 Uzbek companies plan to conduct a business mission to Johannesburg to meet with South African business representatives.

The ministers also outlined cooperation plans for 2026–2027 and agreed to continue working on specific projects.

In July, Uzbek Ambassador Ashraf Khodjaev held talks with representatives of Ethiopia and South Africa regarding the simplification of visa procedures and the prospects for introducing a visa-free regime.

From January to July of this year, foreign trade turnover between Uzbekistan and South Africa reached $7.5 million, more than three times higher than the same period last year ($2.3 million).