Since 2016, Uzbekistan's government has spent over $200 million to develop the fishing industry across the country of over 34 million.

The growth forecast for the region was increased to 4.7 percent in 2021 from a previous projection of 4.1 percent in September.

Uzbekistan, a double-landlocked country with almost 35 million people, has been actively promoting the South and Central Asia rail link that will go through its war-torn neighbour Afghanistan, giving it access to the ports of Karachi, Gwadar and Qasim.