Uzbekistan is preparing to bring its companies to global markets. The country is one step away from joining the World Trade Organization.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has instructed the government to accelerate Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization. He has called for the adoption of about 15 regulatory acts and updates to several key laws. Officials have also been told to finish talks with nine WTO member countries that Uzbekistan hasn’t negotiated with before, by the end of this year.
Uzbekistan entered the active phase of WTO accession in 2023. Since then, there have been four Working Group meetings, where experts addressed over 500 issues. Bilateral negotiations were held with 33 countries, and 24 of those have already been successfully concluded.
As part of the preparation, significant work has been done to align national legislation with WTO standards. This includes the adoption of 13 new laws, 10 presidential decrees and resolutions, 19 Cabinet resolutions, and 10 interdepartmental regulations. In a major shift, the exclusive rights of six state-owned enterprises have also been eliminated.
The WTO currently includes 166 member countries and governs about 98% of global trade. Uzbekistan’s membership application is still under review. Accession talks actually began in 1994, but were put on hold and only resumed in 2020.
Experts say WTO membership could significantly boost the country’s exports, unlocking nearly $6 billion in untapped potential. That includes $600 million each in clothing and fruit exports, and $400 million in cars and auto parts.
The World Bank estimates that joining the WTO could raise Uzbekistan’s GDP by 17% within 5 to 7 years, largely thanks to growth in the service sector. That’s especially important for a landlocked country like Uzbekistan, where service exports can make a big difference.
Historically, accession to the WTO is a lengthy process. China took 15 years, while Russia needed 18. The more complex a country's regulatory system, the longer it usually takes. But Uzbekistan is aiming to finish the process by the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference which scheduled for 2026 in Cameroon.
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