France is one of Uzbekistan's active partners among European countries in economic, investment, and financial-technical spheres.
French companies have established 47 enterprises in Uzbekistan, including 17 wholly French-owned entities, with active projects exceeding €5 billion.
Currently, several major investment projects involving French investments are being implemented in Uzbekistan. Specifically, Total Eren is constructing a 100 MW solar photovoltaic power plant in the Nurabad district of Samarkand region; Orano Mining is conducting joint geological exploration for uranium extraction in promising areas; an international consortium, including EDF, is building a 1,600 MW combined-cycle power plant in Syrdarya region; and SUEZ is implementing projects such as the "Tashkent Water Sector Transformation Plan" and "Improvement of Drinking Water Supply in Surkhandarya Region." Additionally, the French company Veolia has assumed management of Tashkent's heating network under a 30-year public-private partnership agreement.
In 2001, an effective mechanism for interaction was established—the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Uzbekistan and France. The 9th session of this commission was held on May 5, 2023, in Tashkent during the visit of Olivier Becht, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness, and French Nationals Abroad.
It is important to note the focused work of the Uzbekistan-France Economic Chamber in increasing trade volumes, promoting products and services of French and Uzbek companies, and establishing joint ventures.
Systematic efforts continue to expand investment and financial-technical cooperation through the French Development Agency (FDA). The intergovernmental agreement signed in 2016 on the establishment and operations of FDA and PROPARCO in Uzbekistan has enhanced bilateral cooperation.
On November 20, 2022, a cooperation program for 2023–2025 was signed with the FDA, outlining projects worth €1.07 billion.
In 2022, bilateral trade turnover amounted to $339.5 million (+20.9%), with exports at $67.9 million (a 3.2-fold increase) and imports at $271.3 million (+4.5%).
Total trade turnover between Uzbekistan and France in the first seven months of 2024 reached $689.8 million, a 33.3% increase compared to $517.6 million during the same period in 2023.
Uzbekistan’s exports to France saw significant growth, reaching $480.3 million from January to July 2024, compared to $239.5 million in 2023. This growth underscores the increasing demand for Uzbek goods in the French market. Exports more than doubled compared to $67 million during the same period in 2022.
Imports from France decreased to $209.5 million in the first seven months of 2024 from $278.1 million in the previous year. This decline follows earlier growth from $116.4 million in 2022.
Uzbekistan's main exports to France include radioactive chemicals, platinum, and plant extracts. French exports to Uzbekistan consist of flavored mixtures, industrial fatty acids, oils, alcohol, and packaged medicines.
The visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Uzbekistan in 2023 was the first such visit since 1994. As a result, the parties signed eight documents aimed at expanding the activities of the French Development Agency in Uzbekistan and establishing a legal framework for cooperation in modernizing Uzbekistan's drinking water systems, training diplomatic personnel, and fostering cultural exchange.
The productive cooperation between Uzbekistan and France is also evident in the fields of statistics and applied technologies. In February 2022, the Geoferma project was launched in three districts of Samarkand region. Developed by Airbus Defence and Space with financial support from the French Treasury, this project enabled Uzbekistan to adopt digital tools for agricultural mapping using satellite imagery with technologies provided by GE-Data and TerraNIS.
Collaboration in water supply system modernization is also progressing. In August 2023, Suez, in partnership with Tashkent City Water Supply LLC, launched a project aimed at improving water quality, optimizing energy consumption, reducing water losses through network monitoring, and enabling more accurate consumption tracking. The project is financed by a French Treasury loan with a guarantee from Bpifrance A.E.
It is worth noting the agreements reached in Paris between Umid Shadiev, Chairman of the Tourism Committee, and Frédéric Décors, Commercial Director of Air France, regarding the joint exploration of opportunities for launching direct flights.
The French airline Air France plans to initiate flights to Uzbekistan (Tashkent–Paris) in 2025.
Additionally, the parties aim to collaborate in promoting Uzbekistan’s tourism potential through Air France's platforms.
The French Association of Tourist Organizations will stimulate trips by tourists from France and other European countries to Uzbekistan. This collaboration includes the development of new thematic tourism routes, PR campaigns, roadshows, and presentations to enhance the country’s tourism potential.
By presidential decree issued on October 4, 2018, a 30-day visa-free regime was introduced for French citizens visiting Uzbekistan.
In the first half of 2024, 10,700 French citizens visited Uzbekistan for tourism purposes, an increase of 2,600 people or 31.9% compared to the same period in the previous year.
Factors Driving European, Particularly French, Interest in Central Asia and Uzbekistan:
Paris is keen on developing interaction with Uzbekistan through political, economic, energy, and cultural cooperation. Both countries regard each other as reliable partners committed to strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership and elevating mutually beneficial cooperation to a new level for the benefit of their peoples.
Positive Dynamics in Uzbek-French Economic Relations
The trade and economic relations between Uzbekistan and France have seen positive dynamics, with economic diplomacy gaining momentum. Bilateral trade volumes have tripled, and the number of joint ventures with France has quadrupled.
Uzbekistan's regional policy, focused on fostering constructive and neighborly relations with Central Asian countries, has created a new regional environment that aligns with France’s foreign policy goals in the region.
In January–July 2024, Uzbekistan’s total foreign trade turnover reached $36.8 billion, an increase of $1.9 billion or 5.3% compared to the same period in 2023. The country maintains trade relations with 187 nations, with its main trading partners being China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and South Korea.
Over the past five years, bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and France reached $2.1 billion, with Uzbekistan exporting $775.6 million and importing $1.3 billion.
Kazakhstan as One of Uzbekistan’s Largest Foreign Economic Partners in Central Asia. Kazakhstan remains one of Uzbekistan's most significant foreign economic partners in Central Asia. In the first half of 2024, the volume of bilateral trade turnover with Kazakhstan amounted to $1.91 billion, including $619.8 million in exports and $1.29 billion in imports.
Uzbekistan’s main exports to Kazakhstan consist of agricultural products and textiles, while its imports primarily include mineral products and machinery.
France as a Major Foreign Investor in Kazakhstan. France is one of the largest foreign investors in Kazakhstan. Annual meetings between the heads of state have elevated the strategic partnership to a new level. During French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Kazakhstan in November last year, the two countries signed a Declaration on Cooperation in Strategic Mineral Resources, including uranium.
The primary goal of this document is to foster collaboration in combating global warming through the promotion, development, and implementation of large-scale projects in renewable energy and sustainable development within Kazakhstan.
Key Areas of Bilateral Cooperation
Trade and economic relations, investment, energy, agriculture, transport and logistics, cultural and humanitarian ties, and water resource management remain the main areas of bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and France.
Currently, around 204 enterprises with French capital operate successfully in Kazakhstan. These include major companies such as Total Energies, Orano, Airbus, Vicat, Air Liquide, Alstom, Idemia, Saint-Gobain, Danone, Lactalis, and others, implementing high-tech projects. For instance, joint production facilities for electric locomotives, railway equipment, titanium products for the aviation industry, pharmaceuticals, and food products are functioning effectively. Joint work is ongoing in space exploration, the "green economy," and infrastructure development. Active cooperation continues in the energy sector.
Trade and Strategic Partnership
In 2008, Kazakhstan and France signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement. To date, trade turnover between the two countries has exceeded $50 billion. Kazakhstan’s main exports to France include oil, metals, and metal products, as well as chemical industry products. Imports from France primarily consist of electrical, electronic, and mechanical equipment, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, automobiles, food products, and construction materials.
Since 1992, the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation has been operating, with regular business council meetings bringing together representatives of the business communities.
Trade and Investment Figures
In 2023, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and France reached $4.2 billion, with Kazakhstan exporting $3 billion and importing $1.2 billion. This represents a 7.7% increase compared to the previous year ($4 billion). Bilateral trade in the first quarter of 2024 totaled $1.4 billion, a 34.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023 ($1.1 billion).
The total volume of French investments in Kazakhstan’s economy since 2005 has reached $19.1 billion, making France the fifth-largest investor in the country.
French companies have established 47 enterprises in Uzbekistan, including 17 wholly French-owned entities, with active projects exceeding €5 billion.
Currently, several major investment projects involving French investments are being implemented in Uzbekistan. Specifically, Total Eren is constructing a 100 MW solar photovoltaic power plant in the Nurabad district of Samarkand region; Orano Mining is conducting joint geological exploration for uranium extraction in promising areas; an international consortium, including EDF, is building a 1,600 MW combined-cycle power plant in Syrdarya region; and SUEZ is implementing projects such as the "Tashkent Water Sector Transformation Plan" and "Improvement of Drinking Water Supply in Surkhandarya Region." Additionally, the French company Veolia has assumed management of Tashkent's heating network under a 30-year public-private partnership agreement.
In 2001, an effective mechanism for interaction was established—the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Uzbekistan and France. The 9th session of this commission was held on May 5, 2023, in Tashkent during the visit of Olivier Becht, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness, and French Nationals Abroad.
It is important to note the focused work of the Uzbekistan-France Economic Chamber in increasing trade volumes, promoting products and services of French and Uzbek companies, and establishing joint ventures.
Systematic efforts continue to expand investment and financial-technical cooperation through the French Development Agency (FDA). The intergovernmental agreement signed in 2016 on the establishment and operations of FDA and PROPARCO in Uzbekistan has enhanced bilateral cooperation.
On November 20, 2022, a cooperation program for 2023–2025 was signed with the FDA, outlining projects worth €1.07 billion.
In 2022, bilateral trade turnover amounted to $339.5 million (+20.9%), with exports at $67.9 million (a 3.2-fold increase) and imports at $271.3 million (+4.5%).
Total trade turnover between Uzbekistan and France in the first seven months of 2024 reached $689.8 million, a 33.3% increase compared to $517.6 million during the same period in 2023.
Uzbekistan’s exports to France saw significant growth, reaching $480.3 million from January to July 2024, compared to $239.5 million in 2023. This growth underscores the increasing demand for Uzbek goods in the French market. Exports more than doubled compared to $67 million during the same period in 2022.
Imports from France decreased to $209.5 million in the first seven months of 2024 from $278.1 million in the previous year. This decline follows earlier growth from $116.4 million in 2022.
Uzbekistan's main exports to France include radioactive chemicals, platinum, and plant extracts. French exports to Uzbekistan consist of flavored mixtures, industrial fatty acids, oils, alcohol, and packaged medicines.
The visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Uzbekistan in 2023 was the first such visit since 1994. As a result, the parties signed eight documents aimed at expanding the activities of the French Development Agency in Uzbekistan and establishing a legal framework for cooperation in modernizing Uzbekistan's drinking water systems, training diplomatic personnel, and fostering cultural exchange.
The productive cooperation between Uzbekistan and France is also evident in the fields of statistics and applied technologies. In February 2022, the Geoferma project was launched in three districts of Samarkand region. Developed by Airbus Defence and Space with financial support from the French Treasury, this project enabled Uzbekistan to adopt digital tools for agricultural mapping using satellite imagery with technologies provided by GE-Data and TerraNIS.
Collaboration in water supply system modernization is also progressing. In August 2023, Suez, in partnership with Tashkent City Water Supply LLC, launched a project aimed at improving water quality, optimizing energy consumption, reducing water losses through network monitoring, and enabling more accurate consumption tracking. The project is financed by a French Treasury loan with a guarantee from Bpifrance A.E.
It is worth noting the agreements reached in Paris between Umid Shadiev, Chairman of the Tourism Committee, and Frédéric Décors, Commercial Director of Air France, regarding the joint exploration of opportunities for launching direct flights.
The French airline Air France plans to initiate flights to Uzbekistan (Tashkent–Paris) in 2025.
Additionally, the parties aim to collaborate in promoting Uzbekistan’s tourism potential through Air France's platforms.
The French Association of Tourist Organizations will stimulate trips by tourists from France and other European countries to Uzbekistan. This collaboration includes the development of new thematic tourism routes, PR campaigns, roadshows, and presentations to enhance the country’s tourism potential.
By presidential decree issued on October 4, 2018, a 30-day visa-free regime was introduced for French citizens visiting Uzbekistan.
In the first half of 2024, 10,700 French citizens visited Uzbekistan for tourism purposes, an increase of 2,600 people or 31.9% compared to the same period in the previous year.
Factors Driving European, Particularly French, Interest in Central Asia and Uzbekistan:
- Strategic Location: Central Asia’s position as a geopolitical bridge between East and West, North and South, has heightened the EU's interest, particularly France’s, in the region in recent years.
- Transit Potential: The region serves as a critical link for trade and investment. It has become a reliable source of essential raw materials and a supply chain hub, particularly through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the “Middle Corridor.”
- European Union Investments: The EU allocated $150 million for 2021–2024 to support regional cooperation and integration, prioritizing digital connectivity, hydropower, and hydrocarbon energy projects through international financial institutions, member states (the European Group), and existing funds such as Global Gateway.
- Reforms in Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan’s domestic and foreign policies and extensive reforms contribute to improving the population's well-being and ensuring peace and stable development in Central Asia.
- France’s Role in Security and Development: Given the region's proximity to Afghanistan, issues such as organized crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism are areas of heightened sensitivity for Paris. France also supports reforms to strengthen the rule of law and free-market principles.
Paris is keen on developing interaction with Uzbekistan through political, economic, energy, and cultural cooperation. Both countries regard each other as reliable partners committed to strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership and elevating mutually beneficial cooperation to a new level for the benefit of their peoples.
Positive Dynamics in Uzbek-French Economic Relations
The trade and economic relations between Uzbekistan and France have seen positive dynamics, with economic diplomacy gaining momentum. Bilateral trade volumes have tripled, and the number of joint ventures with France has quadrupled.
Uzbekistan's regional policy, focused on fostering constructive and neighborly relations with Central Asian countries, has created a new regional environment that aligns with France’s foreign policy goals in the region.
In January–July 2024, Uzbekistan’s total foreign trade turnover reached $36.8 billion, an increase of $1.9 billion or 5.3% compared to the same period in 2023. The country maintains trade relations with 187 nations, with its main trading partners being China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and South Korea.
Over the past five years, bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and France reached $2.1 billion, with Uzbekistan exporting $775.6 million and importing $1.3 billion.
Kazakhstan as One of Uzbekistan’s Largest Foreign Economic Partners in Central Asia. Kazakhstan remains one of Uzbekistan's most significant foreign economic partners in Central Asia. In the first half of 2024, the volume of bilateral trade turnover with Kazakhstan amounted to $1.91 billion, including $619.8 million in exports and $1.29 billion in imports.
Uzbekistan’s main exports to Kazakhstan consist of agricultural products and textiles, while its imports primarily include mineral products and machinery.
France as a Major Foreign Investor in Kazakhstan. France is one of the largest foreign investors in Kazakhstan. Annual meetings between the heads of state have elevated the strategic partnership to a new level. During French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Kazakhstan in November last year, the two countries signed a Declaration on Cooperation in Strategic Mineral Resources, including uranium.
The primary goal of this document is to foster collaboration in combating global warming through the promotion, development, and implementation of large-scale projects in renewable energy and sustainable development within Kazakhstan.
Key Areas of Bilateral Cooperation
Trade and economic relations, investment, energy, agriculture, transport and logistics, cultural and humanitarian ties, and water resource management remain the main areas of bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and France.
Currently, around 204 enterprises with French capital operate successfully in Kazakhstan. These include major companies such as Total Energies, Orano, Airbus, Vicat, Air Liquide, Alstom, Idemia, Saint-Gobain, Danone, Lactalis, and others, implementing high-tech projects. For instance, joint production facilities for electric locomotives, railway equipment, titanium products for the aviation industry, pharmaceuticals, and food products are functioning effectively. Joint work is ongoing in space exploration, the "green economy," and infrastructure development. Active cooperation continues in the energy sector.
Trade and Strategic Partnership
In 2008, Kazakhstan and France signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement. To date, trade turnover between the two countries has exceeded $50 billion. Kazakhstan’s main exports to France include oil, metals, and metal products, as well as chemical industry products. Imports from France primarily consist of electrical, electronic, and mechanical equipment, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, automobiles, food products, and construction materials.
Since 1992, the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation has been operating, with regular business council meetings bringing together representatives of the business communities.
Trade and Investment Figures
In 2023, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and France reached $4.2 billion, with Kazakhstan exporting $3 billion and importing $1.2 billion. This represents a 7.7% increase compared to the previous year ($4 billion). Bilateral trade in the first quarter of 2024 totaled $1.4 billion, a 34.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023 ($1.1 billion).
The total volume of French investments in Kazakhstan’s economy since 2005 has reached $19.1 billion, making France the fifth-largest investor in the country.