Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic are entering a new partnership format.
In March 2025, the 10th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation was held in Prague, confirming the transition to a more systemic format of cooperation. The parties discussed new joint projects, the launch of joint ventures, long-term financing, and the expansion of business support tools. Attention was paid to projects in the fields of transportation, pharmaceuticals, electrical engineering, food processing, agriculture, leather industry, tourism, and education.
Prominent representatives of Czech industry and business actively involved in international cooperation, including in Central Asia, include Škoda Transportation (Škoda Group), a leading Czech engineering conglomerate specializing in vehicle production; Doctor Müller Pharma, a renowned Czech pharmaceutical company; and ZVVZ Engineering, an engineering company specializing in the design and supply of air purification equipment, ventilation systems, and industrial engineering.
From the Czech Republic's perspective, Uzbekistan is considered one of the most capacious markets in Central Asia. The official Czech business profile on Uzbekistan explicitly calls it a significant trading partner for the Czech Republic in Central Asia and notes a significant increase in Czech exports in recent years. The gradual increase in Czech investment in Uzbekistan makes the Czech Republic a prominent European investor in the Uzbek market.
Most Promising Areas of Cooperation
Promising areas of cooperation currently include mechanical engineering, geology and mining, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and energy. The emphasis is on localizing production, implementing technologies, developing personnel, and improving energy efficiency, as well as projects involving critical minerals and high-value-added products. Project implementation formats include attracting long-term financing, expanding support instruments, developing cooperation between enterprises, and launching joint ventures. Currently, 44 companies with Czech capital operate in the republic.
Strengthening Digital and Technological Cooperation
Strengthening digital and technological cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic in 2025–2026 is manifested not only in general intentions, but also in several practical areas. Strengthening digital and technological cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic can be characterized as a transition to a new stage in bilateral relations, where, alongside trade, the role of startups, IT outsourcing, innovation, technical regulation, and technology-focused investments is increasing. This creates the foundation for the further development of joint projects in the digital economy, industry, and high-tech sectors.
The development of cooperation in startups and innovation demonstrates the expansion of the bilateral agenda from classic trade to a joint innovation ecosystem. The opening of offices in Uzbekistan with at least a number of Czech outsourcing and IT companies indicates a transition to more applied digital partnerships in the form of GBS, IT services, and remote services.
Technological cooperation is also strengthening through standardization, metrology, and technical regulation. Issues of standards, testing, and market supervision are jointly addressed, which are important for joint production, technology transfer, and product approval. This interaction creates an institutional foundation for industrial cooperation and the introduction of more modern technologies. New agreements on industrial investment and the expansion of joint projects mark a transition from isolated contacts to a more systemic format of technological partnership.
Cultural Ties between Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic
Cultural ties are currently developing more through embassy, festival, educational, and tourism formats than through large-scale interstate cultural agreements. The Czech Embassy in Tashkent traditionally uses national receptions and cultural events to promote Czech music, cuisine, and beer culture; even earlier, the diplomatic mission explicitly emphasized the connection between cultural initiatives and the development of bilateral contacts and business. More broadly, Uzbekistan has announced plans to hold "Uzbek Culture Days" in more than 10 countries and sign new international cultural memoranda, creating additional opportunities for Czech-Uzbek cultural exchanges.
Conclusion
For Uzbekistan, the Czech Republic is an important European partner in technology, transport, pharmaceuticals, standardization, tourism, and industrial projects. For the Czech Republic, Uzbekistan is a rapidly growing Central Asian market with growing investment potential and a convenient platform for entering the region. In the near future, cooperation, judging by official statements from both sides, will focus on increasing trade, delegation visits, and the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade.
economic and scientific-technical cooperation, expanded investment, and new joint activities in the coming years.
Dildora Karimova,
IMRI Project Manager, Doctor of Economics, Professor
