MINEX Forum

Tag: regional cooperation

  • Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Strengthen Cooperation with New Agreements on Geology, Rare Metals and Energy Projects

    Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Strengthen Cooperation with New Agreements on Geology, Rare Metals and Energy Projects

    Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met on November 15 at the Kuksaroy residence near Tashkent, where the two leaders advanced bilateral cooperation across key industrial sectors. According to lsm.kz, the talks focused on joint initiatives in the oil and gas industry, as well as mining and metallurgy.

    Among the signed documents was a decision by the Higher Interstate Council to establish a bilateral working group on geology and the extraction of rare and rare earth metals. The presidents also endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Industry and Construction and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Mining and Geology to expand collaboration in the sector.

    The countries additionally approved a framework agreement to launch joint projects in the oil and gas chemical industry. One of the major initiatives under consideration is a partnership between KazMunayGas and Uzbekneftegaz to build a new linear alkylbenzene production complex in Uzbekistan’s Kashkadarya region, with a planned output capacity of up to 50,000 tonnes per year. A final investment decision will be made after completion of the project design phase.

  • Uzbekistan and China Advance Talks on Establishing SCO Development Bank

    Uzbekistan and China Advance Talks on Establishing SCO Development Bank

    Representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan and China’s Ministry of Finance convened virtually to discuss the creation of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Development Bank, according to Trend.

    The meeting brought together Shukhrat Matkarimov, Deputy Director of Uzbekistan’s Department of International Relations, and Zhang Bo, Deputy General Director of China’s Department of International Economic and Financial Cooperation. The two sides conducted an in-depth review of the bank’s proposed structure, governance framework, operational focus, and funding strategies.

    Uzbekistan emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative, viewing the future SCO Development Bank as a catalyst for deepening investment cooperation, financing regional infrastructure projects, and accelerating sustainable economic development across member states.

    Both parties agreed to continue technical consultations at the ministerial and expert levels to refine the bank’s framework and move the project forward.

    This development comes amid deepening economic ties between Uzbekistan and China. Bilateral trade exceeded $13 billion last year, with both governments expressing strong confidence in reaching the $20 billion trade target set by their national leaders.

  • Kazakhstan and China Strengthen Strategic Partnership Through High-Level Discussions

    Kazakhstan and China Strengthen Strategic Partnership Through High-Level Discussions

    Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murat Nurtleu, recently hosted Han Chunlin, the newly appointed Ambassador of China to Kazakhstan, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations. Their discussions centered on political, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian collaboration, with an emphasis on upcoming high-level visits and shared initiatives within multilateral frameworks. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to advancing mutual cooperation, leveraging their roles in regional organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to address shared goals in security, economic development, and combating transnational challenges like terrorism and drug trafficking.

    Kazakhstan’s relationship with China has significantly evolved since its independence in 1991. The two nations have successfully navigated border agreements, expanded economic partnerships, and established a robust strategic alliance. This cooperation reflects Kazakhstan’s strategic intent to balance geopolitical dynamics in the region while diversifying its international partnerships. The meeting also highlighted plans for enhanced cultural exchange and investment projects, further solidifying the ties between the countries.

    The Foreign Minister expressed his optimism for future collaborations and wished Ambassador Han success in his role. This meeting follows an earlier dialogue between Han Chunlin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, focusing on strengthening trade, cultural exchanges, and investment opportunities as key pillars of bilateral relations.

  • Tajikistan Backs “Green Corridor” Initiative, Eyes Enhanced Regional Cooperation

    Tajikistan Backs “Green Corridor” Initiative, Eyes Enhanced Regional Cooperation

    Tajikistan has announced its support for the creation of a “green corridor” connecting Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, signaling a commitment to enhanced regional collaboration. In an interview with Report, Jamshed Shoimzoda, Tajikistan’s First Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources, highlighted the country’s untapped hydropower potential, noting that only 5% of it is currently utilized. Remarkably, 95% of Tajikistan’s energy production is already green, Shoimzoda stated.

    He emphasized that if Tajikistan’s full potential were harnessed, the energy generated would exceed the combined needs of Central Asian countries by four times. Shoimzoda also praised Azerbaijan’s efforts to establish transport corridors linking Central Asia to Europe, which could enable Tajikistan to deliver its green energy not only regionally but also to European markets.

    Shoimzoda noted that advancements in technology and lower costs have made this project feasible, despite its technical challenges two decades ago. In addition to energy, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan are exploring cooperation in mineral resource development. At a recent intergovernmental meeting, the two nations discussed leveraging Azerbaijan’s experience in this field to support Tajikistan’s burgeoning extraction industry.