Official Visit by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Tashkent And Samarkand, The Republic of Uzbekistan 27 to 31 August 2026

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong made an Official Visit to Uzbekistan from 27 August to 31 August 2026.  

On 28 August, Senior Minister Lee called on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. They reaffirmed the warm relations between Singapore and Uzbekistan, and interest from both sides to strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation including in trade and investment, people-to-people exchanges, financial technology, and development partnerships.

Later that day, Senior Minister Lee and Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov witnessed the signing of a Joint Statement between the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Uzbekistan Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade (MIIT) on 28 August, formalising both sides’ intent to launch negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The Uzbekistan-Singapore FTA will lower trade barriers for both sides, improve trade flows between both economies, and facilitate the deepening of commercial linkages. They also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Investment, Industry and Trade between Singapore Cooperation Enterprise and MIIT to exchange knowledge and expertise, and facilitate business links. Both leaders also witnessed the signing of an MOU between Wilmar, Indorama, and MIIT for a planned US$100 million agribusiness facility in Tashkent.

On 31 August, Senior Minister Lee visited the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (Uzbek Parliament), where he was hosted by Chairperson of the Senate Tanzila Narbayeva. He delivered an address to the Senate on the shared interests of both countries at the multilateral and regional levels, and prospects for bilateral cooperation.

In Samarkand, Senior Minister Lee was hosted to lunch by Governor of Samarkand Region Adiz Boboev and visited historical and cultural sites including the Imam Al-Bukhari Memorial Complex, Registan Square, and the Gur-Emir Mausoleum. In Tashkent, Senior Minister Lee visited the Islamic Civilisation Centre.

Senior Minister Lee will return to Singapore on 1 September 2026.    

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

SINGAPORE 

31 AUGUST 2026