Analysis of Cooperation in the Tourism Sector between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan: a Study of Cross-border Value Chains

Existing Cooperation at the Governmental Level 
Cooperation in tourism sector between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan has intensified in the past few 
years. In 2017, Tourism Cooperation Agreement was signed between the Ministry of Culture, 
Information and Tourism of Kyrgyz Republic and the State Committee of the Republic of 
Uzbekistan for Tourism Development. A number of cross-border transport projects have been 
implemented and are planned currently (discussed in a subsection on transport). Silk Visa 
negotiations have started (see related subsection). The countries are currently negotiating the 
promotion of pilgrimage tourism. The National TV and Radio Company of Uzbekistan and the 
Public Broadcasting Corporation of the Kyrgyz Republic cooperate on promotion of tourism 
potential.
This was happening as part of overall strengthening of the regional coordination in the CA. The 
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan highlighted several regional priorities at the recent 
Consultative Meeting of the Heads of CA States (held in Tashkent on November 29, 2019)
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: 
- Annual Investment Forum of the CA countries’ Chambers of Commerce have been 
proposed; 
- Strengthening transport connectivity and unlocking the transit potential of the region is 
important; 
- Need for single recognizable tourism brand of the CA and elaboration of regional tourism 
products. International Tourism Conference “Traveling in Central Asia” was proposed; 
- Need for coordinated efforts to promote peace, national harmony and economic recovery of 
Afghanistan; 
- Regional cooperation in energy and water sectors. 
Security
Following the interethnic conflict in 2010, there were a lot of security concerns among Uzbek 
and Kyrgyz tourists (especially from the neighboring territories) with regard to travelling 
between the countries. Majority of respondents confirmed that this issue has been resolved. 
Entrepreneurs shared their views, “Everybody wants to forget about the conflicts, and such 
conflict must not happen again. So much time was lost.” A lot of information tours involving 
travel companies, mass media, and influencers have been organized to disseminate knowledge 
about business opportunities, facilitate connections as well as publicize the improved security 
situation, particularly focusing on Ferghana Valley and other neighboring regions. Additionally, 
Uzbekistan was ranked as the 5
th
safest country in the world in 2018, according to the Global 
Gallup Safety report, and has introduced tourist police in many touristic sites since 2017.
 
At the same time, the CA should maintain the coordinated approach towards strengthening 
regional security. For example, such incidents as a recent ISIS attack at the Tajikistan-
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Official Website of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (2019) Glavy Gosudarstv Centralnoy Azii Proveli 
Vstrechu v Uzkom Formate, viewed on December 20, 2019 <
https://president.uz/ru/3104
>

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20 
Uzbekistan border in November 2019
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might impose negative perception for the whole region 
from tourists’ point of view. Additionally, several interviewed Uzbek tourists shared concerns 
regarding availability and quality of medical facilities and police at Kyrgyz resorts. 
Environmental and radioactive waste issues might become a barrier for the conscious tourism. 
According to the UN (cited by Radioactive Waste Security), most of the CA radioactive 
disposals are stored in Djalalabad region, Issyk-Kul area of Kyrgyzstan, Tashkent and Namangan 
regions of Uzbekistan and Sogdiyskaya region of Tajikistan.
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Barriers in the Value Chain