The visit, a first by an Uzbek president, marks the beginning of a new era of bilateral ties between the two countries at political, economic and cultural levels.

Diplomatic ties between the UAE and Uzbekistan were established on 25 October 1992. Since then, the relations between the two countries have continued to grow through the exchange of high-level visits.

In October 2007, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited Uzbekistan and held talks with President Karimov.

The meeting led to a number of agreements aimed at boosting ties, including encouraging investment and trade between the two countries.

The relations marked a new era following Shaikh Mohammad’s visit to Uzbekistan. Today, the UAE is Uzbekistan’s major trade partner in the Gulf region with trade growing between the two countries.

In 2007, Uzbekistan exported to the UAE cotton textiles, foodstuffs and services while the UAE exported to Uzbekistan mechanical and electrical equipment, plastic and rubber materials and mattresses.

Although trade exchange volume remains relatively small, at a total of US$84.7 million (about Dh311 million) during the first 10 months of 2007, there is still a high prospect for growth as UAE companies began to make significant investment in Uzbekistan.