Uzbekistan Positions Itself as Strategic Partner for the Gulf

Uzbekistan has been pursuing a pragmatic foreign policy aimed at protecting its national interests and fostering sustainable development through diversified economic and political partnerships. Positioned strategically in Central Asia, the country plays a decisive role in linking major global regions—from East Asia to Europe and the Middle East. By deepening ties with both traditional allies and new partners, Uzbekistan seeks to boost innovation-driven growth, enhance trade, and build regional stability, all while preserving its strategic autonomy.

One of the most dynamic aspects of this approach is Uzbekistan’s expanding engagement with the Arab states of the Gulf. Shared strategic interests and complementary economic goals have driven stronger political, economic, and cultural ties. Despite its landlocked geography, Uzbekistan is working to overcome logistical barriers through major investments in transport infrastructure and international transit corridors. Enhanced connectivity with the Gulf is integral not only for Uzbekistan’s global integration but also for the broader economic cohesion of Central Asia.

Trade and economic ties between Uzbekistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—have expanded significantly in recent years. Since 2020, bilateral trade turnover has increased nearly fivefold, from $162 million to $889 million in 2023. Notably, trade with the UAE alone exceeded $649 million in 2024, underscoring the expansion of economic engagement between the regions.

While Kuwait and Oman only represent  a modest share of Uzbekistan’s foreign trade, overall trade activity with the Gulf states is on an upward trajectory. This expansion reflects Uzbekistan’s strategic push to diversify its trade partnerships and the Gulf countries’ growing interest in establishing a deeper economic footprint in Central Asia.

At the broader regional level, trade between Central Asia and the GCC reached approximately $3.1 billion in 2021, amounting to about 0.27 percent of the GCC's total merchandise trade. The Gulf states exported $2.06 billion worth of goods to Central Asia while importing $1.04 billion, primarily in copper, gold, precious metals, iron, and steel. These figures point to substantial untapped potential, particularly  in the mining, metallurgy, and energy sectors. Central Asian countries possess abundant natural resources that are increasingly in demand across the Gulf.

To sustain this momentum and unlock new opportunities, further development of transport and logistics infrastructure is required. Strengthening regional connectivity through the expansion of efficient trade corridors and logistics hubs will reduce transaction costs and foster long-term economic integration. Modernising multimodal transport networks—including road, rail, and maritime routes—will also be critical to optimising supply chains and advancing broader trade and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Gulf states.

Uzbekistan’s trade with the Gulf countries primarily utilises the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), the Middle Corridor, and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). These routes involve multimodal transfers, typically via Mersin Port in Turkey or Bandar Abbas in Iran.

The Middle Corridor links Central Asia to Europe via the Caspian Sea and South Caucasus, serving as a principal land-based bridge between East and West. Meanwhile, the INSTC connects India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Europe through a 7,200-kilometre rail, road, and maritime network, granting significant time and cost efficiency.

The Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran railway, operational since 2014, further strengthened regional connectivity by linking Uzen in Kazakhstan to Gorgan in Iran. This route improves access to Persian Gulf ports and creates a direct route for Central Asian exports. Uzbekistan also plays a key role in the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Oman transport corridor, formalised under the Ashgabat Agreement in 2016. Although the initiative has yet to fully realise its potential, it remains a critical platform for strengthening regional connectivity and deepening economic cooperation.

Establishing a direct railway connection between Central Asia and the Gulf would greatly enhance logistics and facilitate more efficient trade flows. The Gulf Railway Project, which aims to connect all GCC member states through a unified rail network by 2030, offers a strong foundation for future interregional links.

This development could pave the way for new transit corridors, including the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Oman route and the Trans-Afghan Corridor, which would offer Central Asia direct access to the Indian Ocean. These emerging pathways hold significant trade potential—particularly in sectors like agriculture, textiles, and minerals—especially if supported by targeted infrastructure investment and regulatory harmonisation.

The Strategic Dialogue between Central Asian countries and the GCC provides a vital diplomatic and institutional platform for advancing political, economic, and cultural relations. At the 2023 GCC-Central Asia Summit in Jeddah, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev outlined a vision for deepening interregional cooperation across five priority areas. He proposed a multilateral agreement on interregional connectivity and friendship, the expansion of partnerships in high technology and green energy—including a green hydrogen initiative with Saudi Arabia—and the establishment of a Joint Investors Council. His proposals included the creation of a free trade regime with Gulf countries, the harmonisation of standards, the promotion of food exports, and increased regional connectivity through strategic projects like the Trans-Afghan Railway. 

Further initiatives included a joint “Green Energy Roadmap,” collaborative climate research, and the introduction of a unified visa-free tourism space. These proposals reflect Uzbekistan's commitment to practical, forward-looking engagement with the Gulf region and carry the potential to significantly shape the trajectory of future cooperation.

In particular, improving connectivity through efficient multimodal transport corridors and strategic infrastructure projects such as the Trans-Afghan Railway. By linking Central Asia to the Gulf via the shortest and most cost-effective routes, these efforts will help unlock the region’s trade potential, improve access to global markets, and enhance the competitiveness of local exports. Improved connectivity logistics will also stimulate investment, diversify supply chains, and contribute to transforming Central Asia into a vital hub for Eurasian trade.

The upcoming Central Asia–GCC Summit in Samarkand represents a pivotal opportunity to deepen economic and trade cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Gulf states. Realising the full potential of this partnership will require focused efforts across several strategic areas. Establishing unified logistics platforms through integrated digital solutions can streamline operations, reduce trade costs, and enhance efficiency.

Continued investment in the modernisation and expansion of multimodal transport infrastructure—including rail, road, air, and port networks—will be crucial to strengthening interregional connectivity. Embracing advanced transport technologies, such as smart logistics systems and AI-driven supply chain management, will further improve reliability and competitiveness.

At the same time, harmonising customs procedures by simplifying and standardising transit protocols can eliminate bureaucratic barriers and ensure smoother cross-border trade. Taken together, these initiatives can lay the foundation for a more integrated and dynamic economic relationship between Central Asia and the GCC.

The potential for enhanced transport and trade cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Gulf countries is considerable. Through sustained investment in infrastructure, harmonising regulations, and embracing digital innovation, the two regions can unlock new avenues for economic integration. Beyond its financial benefits, this collaboration carries strategic geopolitical importance, positioning Uzbekistan and Central Asia as pivotal players in the evolving architecture of global trade and connectivity.

As global economic dynamics shift and digital transformation accelerates, Uzbekistan's vision for interregional cooperation with the Gulf states will not only boost mutual prosperity but also long-term peace, resilience, and stability across Eurasia.

Photo: UAE Foreign Ministry