From 16 to 18 June 2026, Tashkent hosted the fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF) – the anniversary edition of the country’s most important investment conference, with around 4,000 participants, most of them from abroad. GTC People & Business Solutions attended the forum, followed the opening speech by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and held numerous talks with companies, investors and institutions.
The numbers so far
According to the President, Uzbekistan has attracted more than USD 150 billion in foreign investment since the start of its reforms, USD 123 billion of it in the past five years. In 2025 alone, the figure was around USD 43 billion. The economy grew by 7.7 per cent in 2025, and GDP is expected to exceed USD 180 billion in 2026. S&P and Fitch have raised the country’s rating to “BB”.
A new international financial centre
The speech focused on the Tashkent International Financial Centre (TIFC). It is designed to offer investors a separate legal and tax framework:
- 0% corporate income tax, VAT, property tax and customs duties
- guaranteed free movement of capital and transactions in any foreign currency
- an independent financial regulator
- the special regime guaranteed for an initial 50 years
In addition, privatisations worth around USD 6 billion are planned for 2026, along with the issue of government sukuk bonds.
Raw materials, energy and artificial intelligence
The country’s mineral resources are estimated at around USD 3 trillion. The share of renewables in power generation is set to rise to 54 per cent. In Karakalpakstan, a special zone for artificial intelligence and data centres is being created, with tax exemptions until 2040 and reduced electricity tariffs.
Infrastructure, cities and tourism
A new international airport in Tashkent is designed for 20 million passengers a year. At the same time, Uzbekistan is pushing ahead with transport corridors such as the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway and the Middle Corridor. “New Tashkent” is a new city district under development, and housing construction is set to grow strongly. The number of foreign tourists rose by 27 per cent in the first five months of 2026, and agricultural exports are expected to reach around USD 10 billion.
Impressions on the ground
- Industry in implementation: The project pipeline presented ranges from titanium dioxide and integrated refineries to ammonia and urea plants – spread across all regions, with a time horizon up to 2032.
- International companies are already there: Hyundai, BYD, KIA, Coca-Cola, Wehrhahn and Gamma Meccanica were presented as examples of successful market entry.
- Institutions, not just factories: Panels with representatives of Rothschild & Co, McKinsey and the EBRD discussed the future of corporate governance.
- High-ranking guests: Participants included Dilma Rousseff, former President of Brazil and President of the BRICS New Development Bank.
What this means for German companies
The forum confirmed what GTC People & Business Solutions sees in its daily work: demand for structured, reliable support between Germany and Uzbekistan is growing – on both sides. With a new framework, a dedicated financial centre and large investment programmes, a window is opening for German SMEs to build contacts and find partners before the markets consolidate.
GTC People & Business Solutions supports companies along the way – from market entry and partner search to coordinating legal matters with specialist partners and recruiting skilled workers.
“The doors of New Uzbekistan will always be open to foreign investors who come to our country with trust and ideas.” – President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
