Uzbekistan is positioning itself to export goods worth up to $650 million to Iraq and Syria in 2026, while strengthening transport corridors through the Caucasus region, including enhanced ties with Azerbaijan and wider transit opportunities.
Business opportunities in Iraq and Syria are expanding, with Uzbekistan’s exported goods, especially electrical equipment and construction materials, expected to reach $500 million in Iraq and $100–150 million in Syria next year. Iraq alone imports around $93 billion worth of goods annually, making it a significant destination for expanded Uzbek shipments.
Routes through Erbil in northern Iraq serve as strategic logistics hubs that facilitate distribution not only across Iraq but also into neighbouring Syria and beyond to the Middle East. Truck deliveries to Baghdad take roughly 10 working days and cost about $3,300, while routes to Damascus are approximately 20 days at about $4,500.
Uzbekistan is also developing transport connections that link Central Asia with the South Caucasus and Middle East, including corridors involving Azerbaijan. Trade between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan has been growing strongly, with mutual turnover exceeding $472 million in January–October 2025, about 2.4 times higher than 2024.
In late December, Uzbek and regional business delegations agreed on cooperation measures, including simplified customs procedures and participation in a trade exhibition in Baghdad in February. A Uzbekistan–Erbil business council was also established to coordinate trade and investment between the two regions.
Visits from Iraqi and Syrian business representatives to Uzbekistan are expected in early 2026, along with a proposed business forum to deepen commercial ties and facilitate B2B meetings.
Officials say that by combining export strategies with stronger transport networks through the Caucasus and improved diplomatic and logistic cooperation, Uzbekistan hopes to unlock new markets and significantly expand its presence across the Middle East and beyond.
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The Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict is intensifying, with fresh strikes near Tehran, European calls for restraint, and Iran threatening to target U.S. firms in the region, raising fears of a broader escalation across the Middle East.
Three Armenian citizens have been charged following an alleged attempt to attack Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at St Anna Cathedral in Yerevan on 29 March. Analysts say the incident reflects rising tensions between the government and the Church ahead of upcoming elections.
HHungary’s foreign minister has been drawn into controversy after an audio recording, released by an investigative outlet, appeared to show him discussing EU sanctions with his Russian counterpart days before an election that could shape Budapest’s relationship with Moscow, Reuters reports.
China and Kenya have agreed to revive a long-delayed railway project, signalling renewed momentum in infrastructure cooperation and a shift towards more sustainable financing models across Africa.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the U.S is in talks with the new Iranian regime. He said this in a post on his Truth Social account but warned that the U.S. will "Obliterate" Iran's electric and oil facilities if no deal is reached, especially regarding the Strait of Hormuz closure.
NASA is aiming to launch its Artemis 2 mission on Wednesday (1 April), sending astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon, officials confirmed. According to the Space Administration, the launch window is due to open at 23:24 GMT, with additional opportunities to 6 April if delays occur.
The Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict is intensifying, with fresh strikes near Tehran, European calls for restraint, and Iran threatening to target U.S. firms in the region, raising fears of a broader escalation across the Middle East.
The war in Iran has rapidly upended regional security, triggering spillover across the Middle East and raising fears of wider economic disruption that could threaten globalisation.
The Israeli military said on Monday that Iran launched multiple waves of missiles at Israel, and an attack had also been launched from Yemen for the second time since the U.S.-Israeli war began on Tehran. It said two drones from Yemen were intercepted early 30 March but gave no further details.
A Russia-flagged tanker carrying about 700,000 barrels of crude has arrived in Cuba’s Matanzas Bay, marking the first major oil delivery to the island since the Trump administration cut off its fuel supplies.
China and Kenya have agreed to revive a long-delayed railway project, signalling renewed momentum in infrastructure cooperation and a shift towards more sustainable financing models across Africa.
HHungary’s foreign minister has been drawn into controversy after an audio recording, released by an investigative outlet, appeared to show him discussing EU sanctions with his Russian counterpart days before an election that could shape Budapest’s relationship with Moscow, Reuters reports.
The European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas and several EU foreign ministers arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday to mark the fourth anniversary of the Bucha massacre and to voice their support for Ukraine, amid tensions within the bloc over blocked EU aid.
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