Uzbekistan Charts Trade Future with UNECE's Roadmap

Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), has taken a significant step toward advancing its trade ambitions with the signing of the National Trade Facilitation Roadmap. This strategic document, endorsed by UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean and Azizbek Urunov, Uzbekistan's Chief Negotiator for WTO issues, acts as a five-year framework for the nation's trade policy reforms and WTO accession aimed for 2026. Aligned with the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), the Roadmap addresses regulatory and procedural trade barriers, promotes infrastructure resilience, and seeks to enhance public-private partnerships. Emphasizing digitalization and sustainability, it aims to bolster exports, particularly through support for SMEs and women-led businesses. With objectives to meet WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement measures, digitize trade documentation, and improve its rank in the World Bank Logistics Performance Index, Uzbekistan targets becoming a central trade hub in Central Asia despite its landlocked challenges. UNECE’s methodology, legal instruments, and standards are pivotal in this endeavor, offering solutions to Uzbekistan's geographic constraints.