BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 14. Uzbekistan and the Philippines are considering establishing a Joint Economic Commission and holding a business forum in Manila as the two countries look to expand trade and economic cooperation.
This was reflected in the statement by the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan following a meeting between Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Ilzat Kasimov and Roberto Gutierrez Manalo, the Philippines’ Ambassador to Uzbekistan, on August 14.
"The meeting also addressed issues related to the establishment of a Joint Economic Commission, the organization of a business forum in Manila, the development of air transportation, training of personnel, and cooperation in the field of labor migration," the ministry said in the statement.
Establishing a Joint Economic Commission, could provide a platform for coordinating bilateral economic initiatives and identifying new areas for business cooperation.
The sides reviewed the current state of bilateral economic relations and explored opportunities to increase trade and launch new joint projects. Bilateral trade reached $3.3 million in the first half of 2026, marking a 135.6% increase compared with the same period a year earlier.
Agriculture, mineral fertilizer supplies, information and communication technologies, electrical engineering, transport, geology and textiles were identified as priority areas for cooperation.
Plans to organize a business forum in Manila were also considered, alongside measures to strengthen air connectivity between the two countries.
The agenda further included professional training and cooperation in labor migration, reflecting efforts to broaden bilateral ties beyond trade in goods.
“The parties agreed to continue practical efforts to expand bilateral trade and advance joint projects,” the Uzbek ministry said.
The discussions come as Uzbekistan seeks to diversify its trade partnerships and expand economic ties with Southeast Asian markets. For the Philippines, stronger engagement with Uzbekistan could create opportunities in agriculture, technology, logistics and industrial cooperation.
The planned business forum and Joint Economic Commission could provide additional channels for companies from both countries to identify investment opportunities and develop commercial partnerships.
The sides agreed to continue practical work on expanding trade and developing projects in the priority sectors identified during the meeting.
