On October 19, 2026, the second meeting of the US-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council was held in Samarkand, attended by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Sergio Gora.
The main outcome of the meeting was a large-scale package of 54 agreements worth $12 billion, covering critical minerals, energy, and digital technologies, UzDaily.uz reported. The visit took place in parallel with the C5+1 ministerial meeting, giving the bilateral agenda a broad regional dimension.
For Uzbekistan, this step signifies more than just attracting capital, but a transition from raw materials exports to industrial modernization. The introduction of American technologies in the advanced processing of rare metals, the development of renewable energy, and digital infrastructure will create the technological foundation for sustainable growth.
At the same time, the successful implementation of these projects will require institutional reforms from Tashkent to ensure the transparency of regulations, the stability of energy supplies, and the protection of investors.
Across Central Asia, Washington's growing economic presence is reshaping regional production chains. The US desire to diversify supplies of critical minerals is spurring closer cooperation among the C5+1 countries.
Raw materials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan can be processed at facilities in Uzbekistan and supplied to global markets. For the region, American investment is becoming an important tool for balancing foreign economic ties alongside China and Russia, expanding room for technological maneuver.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 20, 2026