Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  On 28 November, the Uzbek-Turkish industrial cluster Ostim Global was officially opened in Zangiata district of Tashkent region.

The event took place during the visit of a Turkish delegation led by Orhan Aydin, the chairman of the Ostim Unified Industrial Zone.

A Uzbek-Turkish business forum was held during the visit, gathering more than 200 representatives from major companies from both countries.

The participants discussed prospects for strengthening trade, economic, and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and Türkiye.

Akram Aliyev, Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, highlighted Türkiye as a key partner for Uzbekistan, noting that the volume of bilateral trade had increased by 1.3 times over the past five years.

He stated that efforts are underway to increase trade turnover to US$5 billion as per the directives of the leaders of both nations.

He also reminded of the preferential trade agreement signed, which is being discussed for expanding the list of traded goods. Currently, the agreement involves the exchange of 12 types of goods.

Inomjon Abdurakhmanov, Head of the Department of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, emphasized Türkiye’s important role in Uzbekistan’s foreign trade strategy.

In the first ten months of 2024, trade turnover between the two countries grew by 34%, reaching US$2.5 billion.

He noted that a special working group had been created to eliminate trade barriers and simplify procedures.

The forum also featured B2B meetings, where Uzbek and Turkish companies discussed cooperation opportunities.

In the afternoon, the Ostim Global cluster opening ceremony took place.

The new industrial complex is being developed with the participation of the Turkish company Ostim, one of Ankara’s largest industrial zones, founded in 1967. Ostim brings together more than 6,200 entrepreneurs and operates in 17 sectors, including aviation, energy, and automotive manufacturing, with an annual export volume of about US$1.5 billion.

Ostim Global occupies 100 hectares, with an additional 90 hectares reserved. The total project cost is estimated at US$150 million.

The area will feature a shopping center, medical clinic, school, hotel, research and certification centers, as well as a professional college for youth to acquire in-demand skills in the labor market.

A representative from Ostim highlighted that the new cluster will adopt an innovative ecosystem based on Türkiye’s experience, where over 400 industrial zones are successfully operating.

The industrial zone will house companies specializing in high-tech manufacturing.

The first resident, Turkish company Hektaş, will focus on plant protection products. It will occupy 10 hectares and begin production in December 2026.

The zone will also be equipped with energy-saving infrastructure, including solar panels on building roofs.

In the first phase of construction, around 120,000 square meters will be developed. The cluster will feature not only industrial facilities but also social infrastructure such as kindergartens, medical institutions, and administrative buildings.

Around-the-clock services will be available for the residents.

A representative from Ostim emphasized that the creation of such zones helps attract investments and promotes innovative manufacturing in Uzbekistan.