Amman — Jordan and Uzbekistan are moving toward expanding their economic and trade partnership by working to sign a preferential trade agreement covering 300 goods, divided equally between the two countries. The agreement would include tariff reductions and aims to boost bilateral trade, encourage joint investments, and open new markets for products from both sides.
The development came during talks held yesterday at the Amman Chamber of Industry between private-sector representatives from both countries, in the presence of Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov and Chairman of the Amman and Jordan Chambers of Industry Eng. Fathi Al-Jaghbir.
Kudratov said Uzbekistan is looking to strengthen its economic partnership with Jordan and broaden trade and investment cooperation, in light of the shared political will of the two countries’ leaderships to take bilateral relations to a wider level.
He said the upcoming visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Jordan next month will be an important milestone in advancing economic cooperation. The two countries are also working to sign a preferential trade agreement covering 300 products, with 150 products from each side, subject to reduced customs duties.
Kudratov explained that the agreement would provide a foundation for expanding trade, encouraging joint investments, and establishing partnerships between Jordanian and Uzbek companies, particularly in industrial sectors where the two sides have opportunities for integration.
He revealed that Uzbekistan plans to organize a visit to Jordan next month for a delegation of more than 100 Uzbek business representatives. The delegation will hold business-to-business meetings, participate in a business forum and joint exhibition, explore investment and trade opportunities, and learn about the priorities and needs of Jordanian companies.
He pointed to broad cooperation opportunities in chemical industries, textiles, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, machinery, building materials and construction. He also stressed the interest of Uzbek companies in investing in Jordan and benefiting from the free trade agreements the Kingdom has with several global markets.
Kudratov identified textiles as one of the most promising areas for cooperation, given Uzbekistan’s position as a major producer of cotton and textiles. This creates opportunities for joint industrial projects and greater integration between the industries of the two countries.
He also highlighted opportunities in Jordan’s pharmaceutical industry, as well as potential partnerships in automobile and machinery manufacturing. Uzbekistan produces around half a million vehicles annually in cooperation with international companies, creating room for exchanging expertise and developing joint industrial investments.
For his part, Al-Jaghbir said economic and trade relations between Jordan and Uzbekistan are witnessing growing momentum, driven by reciprocal official visits, agreements and cooperation protocols between the two countries. These developments, he said, are paving the way for a new phase of cooperation between the private sectors of both sides.
Al-Jaghbir said King Abdullah II’s official visit to Uzbekistan in August 2025 marked the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations, particularly following his meeting with President Mirziyoyev and the exchange of a package of agreements and cooperation protocols between the two governments, 33 years after the establishment of diplomatic relations.
He noted that growing cooperation is beginning to be reflected in bilateral trade. Trade between Jordan and Uzbekistan increased by 79% in 2025, while 18 companies are currently operating in Uzbekistan.
The two economies have strong opportunities for complementarity, he said. Jordan exports pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machinery and equipment to Uzbekistan, while Uzbekistan exports copper, textiles, dried fruits and nuts to Jordan.
Al-Jaghbir stressed the importance of expanding the list of traded goods and increasing trade volumes in existing sectors, while also opening new areas for industrial and investment cooperation.
He said Jordanian industry has production and export capabilities that can meet the needs of the Uzbek market, particularly in pharmaceuticals, which are produced according to European and US standards and exported to both markets. Other promising sectors include chemical industries and fertilizers based on phosphate and potash, as well as engineering and electrical industries.
Jordan’s free trade agreements with the United States, the European Union, Arab countries and Canada provide Uzbek investments in the Kingdom with access to broad global markets under preferential conditions, he added. This enhances Jordan’s attractiveness as a base for joint industrial projects targeting exports.
At the same time, Al-Jaghbir said Uzbekistan offers important opportunities for Jordanian industry, given its large consumer market and geographic location, which provides access to Central Asian markets, in addition to its cotton and mineral resources used in various production processes.
He added that Jordanian investment in Uzbekistan could serve as a gateway for national products to Central Asian markets, while Uzbek investment in Jordan could provide access to Arab and Western markets, strengthening opportunities for economic integration between the two countries.
Source: Al-Ghad
