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Uzbekistan-Singapore Relations: Prospects for Multilateral Cooperation

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President of Uzbekistan Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Singapore on 17 January 2023 and held talks with President of Singapore Khalime Yacoub and Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong.[1] During these meetings, it was decided by the presidents of the two countries to deepen the relations. In addition, the two leaders also evaluated the possibilities of cooperation in terms of reforms for the democratization of political life. The cooperation covers staff training for the state administration, the field of green technology, the issue of urban planning and the communications sector.

At this point, it should be noted that despite the distance of more than 5,600 kilometers between the two countries, Uzbekistan and Singapore cooperate in many areas. Therefore, the relationship between the parties continues dynamically.

Today, Uzbekistan attaches importance to the issue of innovation. In this context, Singapore, which is the world leader in economic freedom, travel security and the development of biotechnologies, is a partner to which the Tashkent administration attaches importance.

Indeed, cooperation between Singapore and Uzbekistan has developed on the basis of mutual trust and respect. Thanks to regular communication, political contacts are maintained at the highest level. In this context, relations between parliaments and institutions are developing steadily. International organizations also contribute to these relations.

In particular, Singapore supported the resolutions initiated by Uzbekistan at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on “Strengthening Regional and International Cooperation for Peace, Stability and Sustainable Development in the Central Asian Region”(2018), “Education and Religious Tolerance”(2018), “Sustainable Tourism and Sustainable Development in Central Asia”(2019), “Declaring the Aral Sea Region as an Environmental Innovation and Technology Zone”(2021)  and the recently adopted “Strengthening the Role of Parliaments in Accelerating the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in Central Asia”. Uzbekistan has also supported several Singapore initiatives.[2]

Indeed, during the official visit of Mr. Mirziyoyev to Singapore, the state of bilateral cooperation was discussed in detail. First of all, it was noted that there is a positive relationship between the parties. As a matter of fact, it is known that direct investments from Singapore to Uzbekistan amount to 700 million dollars in total. Therefore, it was emphasized that the two countries want to develop cooperation in many areas.[3]

Mr. Mirziyoyev also outlined five key areas for cooperation with Singapore in the short term.[4] The first of these is the development of human capital and the training of highly qualified personnel for public administration. Agreed with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy to implement a joint program for the training and professional development of civil servants in the fields of governance, urban development, infrastructure development, digital transformation, innovation, education and health. In addition, an intensive training program for civil servants will be launched at the Uzbekistan Academy of Public Administration with the participation of Singapore’s leading experts.

The second area is the involvement of Singapore in privatization processes in Uzbekistan. In this regard, the parties discussed the involvement of Singapore companies in the privatization of large enterprises in Uzbekistan. The parties also proposed the creation of a joint investment fund for the transformation and restructuring of state-owned enterprises in order to launch IPOs and attract foreign investment. In this framework, it was agreed to establish an Uzbek-Singaporean investment company with an initial capital of $500 million.[5]

The third priority is to increase the use of advanced “green” technologies and digital solutions. Singapore’s digitalization achievements will be discussed, as well as opportunities to leverage the country’s innovation technologies for green development.

The fourth is the development of urban infrastructure and communication networks. In this direction, cooperation in urban planning, construction, landscaping and municipal services has been decided. The first step towards this was the signing of an agreement on the establishment of a joint design and engineering center for the implementation of infrastructure and industrial projects in Uzbekistan.

In the fifth dimension of cooperation, the parties emphasized the importance of supporting investment and expanding mutual trade by promoting joint projects. In this context, the leaders assessed areas where they could work together.

In conclusion, despite the geographical distance, relations between Uzbekistan and Singapore are developing. This visit indicates that the trend of expansion and deepening in bilateral relations will continue. It can be stated that this cooperation will be carried out in many areas from reform processes to economic cooperation, from international organizations to digitalization.


[1] “Узбекистан и Сингапур договорились о сотрудничестве по 5 направлениям”, Gazeta.Uz, https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2023/01/17/singapore/, (Date of Accession: 30.01.2023).

[2] “Узбекистан-Сингапур: перспективное сотрудничество на пути к прогрессу и процветанию”, UzDaily, https://www.uzdaily.uz/ru/post/74874, (Date of Accession: 30.01.2023).

[3] Ibid.

4 “Узбекистан и Сингапур договорились о создании совместной инвестиционной компании с уставным капиталом $500 млн”, Podrobno, https://podrobno.uz/cat/economic/uzbekistan-i-singapur-dogovorilis-o-sozdanii-sovmestnoy-investitsionnoy-kompanii-s-ustavnym-kapitalo/, (Date of Accession: 30.01.2023).

[4] [4] “Узбекистан и Сингапур договорились о создании совместной инвестиционной компании с уставным капиталом $500 млн”, Podrobno, https://podrobno.uz/cat/economic/uzbekistan-i-singapur-dogovorilis-o-sozdanii-sovmestnoy-investitsionnoy-kompanii-s-ustavnym-kapitalo/, (Date of Accession: 30.01.2023).

[5] Ibid.

Aidana BAKTYBEK KYZY
Aidana BAKTYBEK KYZY
Aidana BAKTYBEK KYZY, 1999 yılında Bişkek'te doğmuştur. BAKTYBEK KYZY, 2022yılında Sakarya Üniversitesi Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü'nden mezun olmuştur. Halihazırda yüksek lisans eğitimini Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli Üniversitesi Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü'nde devam ettirmektedir.