Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 22 May, as part of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to Slovenia, a Slovenian-Uzbek business forum was held in Ljubljana. The forum brought together heads of relevant ministries and about 150 leading companies, financial institutions, and business organizations from both countries.

Among the forum’s speakers were Matej Han, Minister of Economy, Tourism, and Trade of the Republic of Slovenia; Akram Aliev, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan; as well as heads of ministries, agencies, industry associations, and chambers of commerce and industry from both states.

In his speech, Akram Aliev emphasized the importance of establishing direct business contacts and partnerships based on a combination of advanced technologies, sustainable development, and innovation—hallmarks of Slovenian industry and energy—with Uzbekistan’s vast industrial, resource, and export potential.

Positive dynamics in bilateral trade were noted: while the turnover in 2024 amounted to US$176 million, it had already exceeded US$127 million in the first quarter of the current year.

Key export and import items include services, finished textile products, chemical goods, mechanical devices, products made from stone, ceramics, and gypsum, furniture, and other goods.

The speaker highlighted the most promising areas for expanding cooperation based on an analysis of the economic potential of both countries. Special attention was paid to the implementation of joint projects in agriculture, food production, pharmaceuticals, cable and wire manufacturing, and the construction of hydroelectric power plants.

It was also stated that there is readiness to comprehensively support new joint initiatives that align with investors’ interests and contribute to qualitative transformation and strengthening of economic resilience.

In turn, Matej Han, Slovenia’s Minister of Economy, Tourism, and Trade, highly praised the scale of reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan and urged Slovenian entrepreneurs to more actively enter the Uzbek market.

The forum featured B2B and G2B meetings, providing business circles from both countries a unique opportunity to exchange experience and explore cooperation prospects.

Additionally, a number of agreements and contracts were exchanged, aimed at further developing the partnership and implementing joint projects in areas such as investment cooperation, pharmaceuticals, urban infrastructure construction, copper product manufacturing, storage and processing of fruits and vegetables, development of railway infrastructure, construction of small hydroelectric plants, the electrical engineering sector, and other promising fields.