Japan’s Mitsui Explores New Investment Projects in Uzbekistan’s Fergana Region

Source：Uzdaily.uz,“Ferghana Region and Mitsui Discuss Investment Projects”，September 5, 2026.

https://www.uzdaily.uz/en/ferghana-region-and-mitsui-discuss-investment-projects/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

The Ferghana region of Uzbekistan and Japan's trading and investment conglomerate Mitsui & Co., Ltd. held bilateral talks on 4 September 2026. The meeting, hosted by Ferghana Region Governor Khayrullo Bozorov, welcomed a delegation headed by Tomo Shingo, who serves as the Chief Representative of Mitsui & Co.'s official office in Uzbekistan. The primary objective of the gathering was to deliberate on ways to broaden investment cooperation and to explore new avenues for integrating advanced Japanese industrial technologies into the region's economic fabric.

During the course of the negotiations, both parties conducted a comprehensive review of potential opportunities for launching fresh projects that would capitalise on Japanese technological expertise. Emphasis was placed not only on individual project implementation but also on strengthening the overall investment climate and bilateral ties at the regional level. The participants acknowledged the consistent and steady advancement of the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Japan over recent years. In particular, they highlighted three priority areas for future work: expanding interregional linkages between Japanese prefectures and Uzbek provinces, increasing the volume and scope of investment initiatives backed by Japanese partners, and supporting reciprocal visits by official and business delegations to facilitate closer people-to-people and institutional contacts.

The dialogue also ventured into the domain of education, which emerged as a notable dimension of the cooperation framework. Regional authorities in Ferghana have taken initial steps to adopt Japanese teaching methodologies on a trial basis, introducing innovative pedagogical approaches into local schools. Concurrently, higher education institutions within the region are in the process of updating their specialist training programmes, applying revised instructional models that draw upon Japanese educational practices. This educational component is seen as a long-term investment in human capital, complementing the industrial and infrastructure projects under discussion.

A broad spectrum of prospective joint venture proposals was raised during the talks, reflecting the diverse interests of both sides. The sectors identified for potential collaboration include the oil industry, where Japanese technology could enhance extraction and refining efficiency; water supply systems, which are critical for agricultural and urban development; fruit and vegetable processing, an area of growing importance given the region’s agricultural output; infrastructure development, encompassing transport and logistics networks; tourism, which holds significant untapped potential; and education, as already noted. The range of topics underscored the comprehensive nature of the partnership, moving beyond pure trade to encompass knowledge transfer and institutional capacity-building.

Following the exchange of views, both sides arrived at a mutual understanding to take tangible steps towards translating these proposals into actionable initiatives. They agreed to deepen organisational cooperation, establish follow-up mechanisms, and maintain regular communication to monitor progress. The negotiations also saw the participation of Tulkinjon Rakhimov, who holds the position of Chief Representative of Mitsui & Co. in Kazakhstan, and Mirzokhid Ubaydullayev, the First Deputy Governor of the Ferghana region. Their presence signalled the cross-border and multi-layered character of the engagement.

Mitsui & Co., with its global headquarters in Tokyo, maintains a formidable international footprint, operating across 62 countries and managing a diverse portfolio of subsidiaries and affiliates. The company has had an uninterrupted official presence in Uzbekistan since 1993, making it one of the longest-serving Japanese investors in the Central Asian market. Its investment activities in the country span a wide array of sectors, including energy, infrastructure, transport, agriculture, chemicals, digital technology, and logistics. This long-established track record provides a solid foundation for the expanded cooperation envisioned during the Ferghana talks.

Against the backdrop of rising infrastructure activity and industrial modernisation across Central Asia, demand for professional hardware, tools, and construction materials is steadily increasing. In this context, the Central Asia International Hardware Expo (CAIHE), organised by Koelnmesse, is scheduled to debut in Tashkent from 24–26 November 2026, offering a timely B2B platform that connects international suppliers with the region’s expanding procurement networks and project-driven supply chains.