Singapore–Uzbekistan official visit, August 2026

Singapore Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong made an official visit to Uzbekistan from 27 to 31 August 2026. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) reported that Singapore and Uzbekistan reaffirmed bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, people-to-people exchanges, financial technology and development partnerships (MFA, 31 August 2026).

Proposed free-trade-agreement negotiations

On 28 August 2026, Lee and Uzbekistan's Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov witnessed a Joint Statement signed by Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade. The statement formalised both sides' intent to launch negotiations on a Singapore–Uzbekistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA). MFA says a future FTA would aim to lower trade barriers, improve trade flows and deepen commercial linkages (MFA, 31 August 2026). The announcement records an intention to begin negotiations; it is not evidence that an FTA had been concluded or entered into force.

Investment, industry and business links

Singapore Cooperation Enterprise and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on investment, industry and trade. MFA describes the MoU as a framework to exchange knowledge and expertise and facilitate business links. Separately, Wilmar, Indorama and the Uzbek ministry signed an MoU for a planned US$100 million agribusiness facility in Tashkent (MFA, 31 August 2026). The facility amount is a planned investment associated with the MoU, not a completed project or a Singapore Government grant.

Visit scope and interpretation

The visit included Lee's call on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, an address to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis and visits to cultural and religious sites in Tashkent and Samarkand. These engagements sit alongside the economic announcements and do not themselves create a new diplomatic treaty. As of the 31 August 2026 MFA release, the FTA was prospective, the agribusiness facility was planned, and the MoU described cooperation intent; later negotiation milestones or project implementation require separate evidence (MFA, 31 August 2026).