Andijan Region of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Karelia: Agriculture, forestry, and the new horizons for the partnership

A delegation from the Andijan region, headed by the Deputy Khokim Ilkhom Sabirov, visited Karelia.

The visit was a follow-up of the systematic work to implement the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Karelia and the Khokimiyat of the Andijan Region signed on October 23, 2024, as well as the Action Plan for the Development of Cooperation for 2025–2028.

During the working meeting, the guests discussed intermunicipal cooperation and the exchange of experience in urban management and improvement. The key topics of the discussion included developing cooperation in agriculture, including collaboration in seed production and seed potato cultivation as well as deepening cooperation in the forestry industry. The parties noted the high potential for expanding mutual supplies and implementing the joint projects in these areas.

– Mr. Sabirov's visit is another practical step. We see a great potential for joint projects in the forestry and agricultural sectors. I am confident that the reached agreements will lead to concrete contracts, – commented Oleg Ermolaev, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Government of the Republic of Karelia.

During the visit, the guests attended the leading enterprises in the region. The delegation learned about the work of the company “Russian Wood Alliance”, a major player in the Karelian timber processing industry. The visit also included a visit to a farm, where the Uzbek partners were shown the approaches to running an agricultural business and growing crops in the northern region.

As a reminder, the partnership between Karelia and the Andijan Region has a solid legal foundation. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in October 2024, and in October 2025, on the sidelines of the Second Council of Regions of Russia and Uzbekistan, the regional leaders approved an Action Plan for 2025–2028, which outlines specific steps to develop cooperation in industry, agriculture, tourism, and trade. Ilkhom Sabirov's visit marked another practical step in implementing these agreements.

By the end of 2025, the foreign trade turnover between the Republic of Karelia and the Republic of Uzbekistan had grown by 136.5%, while the Karelian exports had increased by 125%. The parties expressed confidence in further strengthening these mutually beneficial ties.

Andijan region of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Karelia: agriculture, forestry, and the new horizons for the partnership

Андижанская область Республики Узбекистан в Карелии: сельское хозяйство, лесопромышленный комплекс и новые горизонты партнерства