Uzbekistan has announced the establishment of the Uzbekistan-U.S. Business and Investment Council, a new institutional platform aimed at deepening trade, investment, and commercial cooperation between the two countries. The initiative was formalized by a presidential decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on November 12.
The council will be jointly chaired by the Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan and a representative appointed by the President of the United States. It follows agreements reached during President Mirziyoyev’s official visit to Washington from November 4–6, held within the framework of the “C5+1” summit.
The council’s primary objective is to coordinate the development and implementation of strategic business initiatives and major investment and trade projects, while ensuring continuous monitoring of their progress. It will also work to attract new foreign investment through the creation of a dedicated investment fund, with participation expected from institutions including the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Uzbekistan will also expand cooperation in the IT sector by promoting the products and services of companies based in its national IT Park. Broader plans include diversifying the country’s investment portfolio and foreign currency reserves.
To further strengthen diplomatic and economic engagement, a new position titled Adviser-Envoy of the Presidential Administration in the United States will be established at Uzbekistan’s Embassy in Washington beginning January 1, 2026. The envoy will oversee strategic investment initiatives and coordinate the work of the Business and Investment Council.
The Foreign Ministry has also been instructed to expand Uzbekistan’s diplomatic presence across the United States, with preparations underway to open new consulates in Philadelphia, Chicago, Orlando, and Seattle, cities with significant Uzbek diaspora communities.
Oversight of the council’s operations and implementation of the decree will be led by Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration, who will serve as the Uzbek co-chair of the new council.
The initiative forms part of Uzbekistan’s broader strategy to deepen cooperation with the United States, expand economic engagement, and build stronger institutional ties ahead of the planned visa-free regime for U.S. citizens in 2026.
Uzbekistan currently maintains an embassy in Washington and a Consulate General in New York.
As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Uzbekistan will introduce a visa-free regime for U.S. citizens starting January 1, 2026, allowing stays of up to 30 days. The change is intended to broaden engagement between the two countries.
