The free trade regime between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan has officially come into effect, according to the press service of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade (MIIT), as reported by the national portal “Adyrna” citing the Fergana agency.
Under the new regime, starting from February 25, customs duties on goods produced in both countries have been abolished, trade restrictions have been lifted, and trade procedures have been simplified. For instance, customs duties have been removed on cement (previously 100%), textiles (50%), furniture (50%), glassware (50%), water heaters (15%), plastic and polypropylene products (10%), sausages and meat products ($2/kg), and cottonseed oil ($1/kg) imported from Turkmenistan.
The ministry emphasized that the introduction of duty-free trade will contribute to increased trade turnover and enhance investment cooperation between the two countries.
As of the end of 2024, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan reached $1.14 billion, reflecting a 5.5% increase compared to the previous year.
Previously, it was announced that the two countries planned to establish a free trade zone in Shavat district of Uzbekistan’s Khorezm region. The intergovernmental agreement was signed on October 5, 2021. In July 2022, the presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan reaffirmed this plan and decided to open trade houses in Tashkent and Ashgabat. In October of the same year, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Serdar Berdimuhamedov attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the “Khorezm – Dashoguz” border trade zone.
The zone is set up for a 30-year period, with the possibility of extension. Only products manufactured in these two countries can be sold under the “free customs zone” regime. Entry into the zone is allowed only through special checkpoints, and Turkmen citizens and foreign visitors to Uzbekistan can stay in the area for up to 15 days without a visa.
