Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent buzzed with business activity as the country opened the First International Uzbek Import Fair 2025. The exhibition, held at the Uzexpocentre on October 7–9, is a cornerstone of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s industrial strategy to boost local production. Deputy PM Jamshid Khodjaev, inaugurating the fair, emphasized its mission to deepen industrial cooperation, support domestic manufacturers, and promote import substitution uzdaily.uz. The theme “Optimizing Imports and Increasing Local Content” underscores a shift in policy: instead of curbing imports via tariffs or bans, Uzbekistan wants to partner with foreign firms to produce imported goods locally euronews.com.