TASHKENT (Realist English). Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin addressed the plenary session of the 5th Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF 2026), stating that bilateral cooperation between Moscow and Tashkent has reached a “fundamentally new level.”
The head of the Russian government is on a two-day working visit to Uzbekistan, during which he has already held talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov.
According to Mishustin, Russia is among the leading investors in Uzbekistan’s economy. Around 3,000 Russian enterprises operate in the republic, implementing some 150 major investment projects with a total value exceeding 4 trillion rubles.
“We see the results of our joint efforts — new jobs are being created, and output of sought-after products is increasing,” the prime minister noted.
Energy — the locomotive of cooperation
The head of the Russian government named energy as the key area of interaction between the two countries. “There are many areas for expanding cooperation. And coordinated work in each of them can bring maximum returns to our national economies and tangible benefits to the citizens of Russia and Uzbekistan. This is primarily energy,” Mishustin said.
A landmark development is the start of construction in Uzbekistan of the first power unit of an integrated nuclear power plant under a Russian project. The project was launched by presidents Vladimir Putin and Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
“The launch of nuclear energy will help Uzbekistan create a new high-tech industry, train engineering personnel and meet the growing energy needs of its economy,” Mishustin stressed.
Beyond the nuclear track, Russian companies are also actively working in other segments of the energy sector: supplying energy resources to the republic, expanding a network of filling stations, and implementing a large‑scale project to reconstruct the Central Asia – Centre gas pipeline, which will increase its capacity.
Exploration of new hydrocarbon deposits is underway. Russian engineers are providing support in the construction of Uzbekistan’s largest hydroelectric power plants. A joint drilling control centre has been established.
Industrial cooperation: wagons, vehicles and technoparks
The prime minister announced plans to raise industrial cooperation between the two countries to a new level. “We are building the necessary infrastructure for this, including the creation of joint technoparks,” Mishustin noted.
Modern technoparks are already operating in the Tashkent and Jizzakh regions. In April 2026, an industrial park opened in the city of Navoi, where a Russian company launched production of household chemicals and cosmetics.
Construction continues on a railway carriage‑building cluster and assembly shops for commercial vehicles.
Investment and business support
To further support business initiatives, a joint investment platform has been launched. Mishustin expressed hope that even more companies would take advantage of this opportunity. Russian business is represented in virtually all regions of Uzbekistan.
Development institutions are actively working — the VEB.RF group and its subsidiary, the Russian Export Centre.
Agriculture and food security
Mishustin also noted the strengthening of food security. Agricultural trade turnover between Russia and Uzbekistan in the first four months of 2026 grew almost 1.5 times compared to the same period last year.
Strategic partnership
The prime minister recalled that Uzbekistan is a key link between Russia, China, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East.
“Using the rich potential of the economies of Russia and Uzbekistan, building on relations of strategic partnership and alliance, and launching promising projects, we are able to take our interaction to an even higher level for the benefit of our citizens,” Mishustin said.
The 5th Tashkent International Investment Forum, initiated by President Mirziyoyev, is among the largest business and economic events in Central Asia and is designed to unlock the country’s investment potential for the global business community.