Minister Denisa Saková in Uzbekistan: Six Memoranda, Nearly 30 Slovak Companies, New Impulses for Cooperation
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic, Denisa Saková, took part in an official visit to Uzbekistan on 8–9 June 2025 as a member of the delegation led by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. The main outcome of the bilateral talks and the business forum in Tashkent was the signing of six memoranda and cooperation statements in the fields of infrastructure, energy, the automotive industry, agriculture, and IT. Nearly 30 Slovak companies were presented at the forum, and over two days, more than 140 bilateral B2B meetings took place with representatives of Uzbek companies and institutions.
“Uzbekistan is opening up to new opportunities today, and Slovakia wants to be part of them. The signed memoranda, as well as the presence of a strong business delegation, prove our serious interest in long-term cooperation. Slovak companies have much to offer—whether in technologies, innovations, or practical expertise. Uzbekistan, on the other hand, offers a stable environment for investors and strong modernization potential. That is why I believe this business forum is only the beginning of concrete joint projects between our countries,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic, Denisa Saková.
The business forum and discussions followed the first session of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation between the Slovak Republic and Uzbekistan, held in May 2025 in Tashkent. The Commission identified seven priority sectors for cooperation: energy (including nuclear), healthcare, transport infrastructure, agriculture, digitalization, IT, and the defense industry, in which both sides confirmed strong interest in moving forward with concrete joint projects.
Already in 2024, trade between Slovakia and Uzbekistan recorded a year-on-year growth of nearly 49%, rising to €72.5 million—of which Slovak exports accounted for €67.6 million and imports €4.9 million. Slovakia thus achieved a positive trade balance of €62.7 million.
In Tashkent, several important documents were also signed – an agreement between EXIMBANKA SR and the Uzbek company Uzbekinvest on cooperation in the field of export insurance; a declaration of commitment between EXIMBANKA SR, the Slovak company Betamont, and the Uzbek Road Committee on the implementation of intelligent weighing systems for road transport; and a memorandum between the company ROKOSAN and the Jizzakh region on the construction of a bio-organic fertilizer plant with a planned investment of 20 million US dollars. In the automotive sector, MATADOR HOLDING, AUFEER Group, and UZ Auto Motors signed a memorandum of cooperation focusing on design, automation, and development support in this industry. The Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) signed two agreements – one with the Uzbek investment agency UzIPA, and another with IT Park Uzbekistan. Both memoranda concern the promotion of mutual investments, the startup ecosystem, and the export of IT services.
“Slovak companies clearly demonstrated that they can succeed outside traditional European export markets. More than 140 B2B meetings and the signed memoranda confirm the genuine interest in cooperation. Strengthening economic relations in Central Asia at the highest level is, in my view, a strategic step with real trade and investment potential,” added Robert Šimončič, CEO of SARIO.
The visit to Uzbekistan was part of a broader official trip of the Slovak government and business delegation across Central Asian countries, which continues in Kazakhstan. Slovakia is thus reaffirming its interest in actively participating in the development of economic ties in the region.
The Press Department of MoE SR