Uzbekistan opens its doors: exploring Italy's new ally

Amid the dunes of the Uzbek desert, where the sun-bathed landscape takes on the hue of coffee with cream, stands a camp of yurts, the traditional homes of Central Asian nomads. Nearby, there's an oddly placed tourist bus, long absorbed by the earth, and a small truck left over from Soviet times. Camels rest nearby, and a drill is present for some reason—perhaps the owners once tried to dig a well.

"We rented a plot and initially built just one yurt. Over time, the camp expanded to include a dozen structures, such as a kitchen, a shower-equipped bathroom, and a swing. Naturally, there are still yurts where tourists can spend the night”, shares a woman nicknamed "Iron Woman”. This moniker is well-deserved considering the general treatment of women in Uzbekistan, where it's much harder for them to engage in business and activities compared to men. Her home has become a yurt camp for tourists in the Kyzylkum Desert, which she has been developing over several years to promote tourism.

"Iron Woman" leads a family business where everyone plays a crucial role. Her elderly mother sews the fabrics covering the yurts, while her sons handle the pole installations. The hostess herself is dedicated to cooking and welcoming guests. Increasingly, tourist buses venture into these remote areas (the nearest village with shops and other amenities is 50 km away) to experience at least one night living like nomads, riding camels, eating, and singing around the fire.

Eleonora, an Uzbek guide fluent in Italian, leads a group of tourists tracing the paths of the Great Silk Road. Uzbekistan's population is a melting pot, and though the Italian community in the country is small—mainly composed of officials, university professors, and professionals—there is a strong network of ties that makes Italy one of Uzbekistan's trusted partners. Significant was the first visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Italy in June 2023, followed by Italian President Sergio Mattarella's visit to Uzbekistan just a few months later. During these visits, five cooperation agreements were signed, ranging from visa exemptions for diplomatic passports to developments in public education, science, technology, innovation, sports, and diplomatic training.

In Tashkent, with its remarkable array of Brutalist architecture, one might turn a corner to find the modern glass building housing the Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent (TTPU), established by an agreement with the Polytechnic University of Turin in 2009. Thriving in the spirit of renewal and the promotion of technical-scientific culture by Uzbek institutions, it was the first foreign university to set up in Uzbekistan. Now, with over 1,500 graduates in fifteen years and 60 faculty members from the Polytechnic University of Turin participating annually in its teaching activities, it boasts more than 2,000 students enrolled in its dual-degree programs.

In a complex geopolitical context marked by tensions in the Middle East and the crisis in Ukraine, Uzbekistan is emerging as a strategic partner for Italy. The cooperation extends to key sectors such as green energy, industrial development, textiles, export support, and technological investments. Recently, discussions have been held about creating an Italy-Uzbekistan fashion center. During meetings in Ukraine, Fictor Slennikov, representing the Italian company CNA and president of CNA Federmoda, alongside Antonio Franceschini, emphasized the importance of diversifying trade relations, particularly with Uzbekistan in the field of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Turin appears to be the soulmate of this country. Another story linking the Savoy city to the Silk Road is that of the Beltepà brand, named after a popular district on the outskirts of Tashkent. A family from Turin, who moved to Tashkent for work, discovered the excellence of Uzbek craftsmanship and blended it with Italian design. Andrea De Marchi, a retired professor from the Faculty of Electronic Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin, served as the rector of the Tashkent campus from 2014 to 2017. Following him, his wife Antonella and part of their family formed friendships with many local women who produce silk from home-raised silkworms. The Ikat technique, using small wooden looms, creates unique fabric strips used to make garments designed with Italian taste. The Beltepà brand uses local materials such as adras (ikat silk) and bakhmal (silk velvet), as well as suzani, typical embroidered tapestries. About seven thousand companies operate in the textile sector in Uzbekistan, contributing 4.7% to the country's GDP.

The growing interest in Italian design is evidenced by initiatives like "Italia Geniale," curated by the ADI Museum and organized by the embassy in November 2023 at the House of Photography in Tashkent, and "The Taste of Italian Design," held in May, which showcased Italian design objects related to cuisine. Coinciding with Italy Design Day in Tashkent, a technical agreement was signed between the ICE Agency and the Cultural Heritage Agency to create an Italy-Uzbekistan restoration center in Bukhara, based on agreements reached during high-level visits in 2023. The center aims to share Italian methodologies and expertise to promote the development of the restoration sector in Uzbekistan.

Historically, Italy has not been very active in Central Asia compared to other European countries like France, Germany, and the United States. Italy's relations with Russia, always very good, have influenced its relationships with Central Asian countries, and frequent changes in Italian government have made it difficult to pursue a broad and coherent foreign policy. Events such as European integration, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2009, the Arab Spring in 2011, and the migration crisis have further complicated relations with Eastern countries. However, since 2016, the geopolitical context has changed. The war between Ukraine and Russia has shown the need for a new system of international relations, with Western countries imposing sanctions on Russia, isolating it. This has prompted Italy to reassess its foreign policy and seek new markets, such as Central Asia, where China's influence is growing. The Italian government led by Giorgia Meloni, in power since 2022, is pursuing a foreign policy aimed at increasing Italian activity in the region.

Uzbekistan and Central Asia, with their demographics and abundant mineral resources, will be crucial in reducing Italy's and Europe's dependence on China, especially in the context of the energy transition. The demographic figures are impressive: the country currently has 35 million inhabitants, with a projected growth to 50 million by 2030. The economy is expanding: in 2020, Uzbekistan was one of the few countries to register economic growth, and estimates for 2023 indicate a 5.3% increase.

A key element is Uzbekistan's mineral wealth. The economy, dominated by large state-run industrial groups, is heavily oriented towards mining, which accounts for 80% of production. The country is the second-largest producer of gold and uranium in the former Soviet Union and the third-largest for natural gas and copper. The energy transition will inevitably involve these resources, not only for nickel and cadmium but also for copper and steel.

The Uzbek government is seeking to diversify the economy, leading to a growing demand for Italian machinery, products, and partners. For instance, in the agricultural sector, there is an urgent need for technologies to optimize water use, given that Soviet-era infrastructures are now obsolete. Additionally, the gas sector offers multi-billion dollar projects where businesses from the Northeast, with their expertise and advanced technologies, can play a significant role.

Some Italian companies are already active in Uzbekistan, such as the Danieli Group, which has built a large metallurgical plant in Bekabad, near the Tajik border, for the production of hot-rolled steels. Beyond large industries, there are also opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises from the Northeast.

Recently, a significant agreement was signed between O'zbekiston Temir Yòllari JSC, the Uzbekistan Railways, and Arsenale S.p.A., an Italian luxury hospitality company, to develop a luxury train "made in Italy" that will operate in Central Asia starting in late 2026. The project, developed under the aegis of the Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade, involves creating at least 13 carriages with 38 cabins, capable of hosting 66 passengers, connecting four main locations: from Tashkent, through the famous mosques and mausoleums of Samarkand, to Bukhara, a historic center of trade along the Silk Road, and Khiva, known for its walled inner city Itchan Kala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. Tourism is a key sector for Uzbekistan, which saw significant growth with over 6 million visitors in 2022, mainly from Russia and Europe, according to the Eurasia and Mediterranean Study Center.

In this context, it is clear that Uzbekistan is emerging not only as a strategic partner for Italy but also as a vital hub for the entire Central Asia region. The growing cooperation between the two countries promises to open new opportunities, not only in terms of trade and investment but also in cultural and technological exchanges, marking the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations.

Despite its history of conquests, destruction, and reconstruction, Uzbekistan has managed to maintain the essence of its millennial history, showing no jealousy over its dusty splendor. A young, multiethnic, and multireligious country, still partly unexplored, it has already made significant strides in opening up to the world, not without its challenges, both economically and in terms of rights. A top destination, ready to amaze and captivate anyone with the desire to discover it.