Transit & Connectivity: Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed in principle to reroute some bilateral transit trade through China, with amendments to the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Transit Trade Agreement expected during Uzbekistan Deputy PM Jamshid Khodjayev’s postponed visit, as security disruptions keep closing the Afghanistan and Iran corridors. Aviation Fuel Logistics: Allied Biofuels mapped multimodal export routes for planned SAF/e-SAF from Uzbekistan to Europe and the UAE via rail and sea through Kazakhstan, the Caspian, the Black Sea and the Suez, tied to its $6.08bn Khorezm project. Trade Digitalization: Pakistan Single Window launched an official mobile app to let importers, exporters and customs agents track declarations, manage certificates and payments, and submit time-sensitive requests. Economic Outlook: Uzbekistan raised its 2026 growth forecast to 8.1% on stronger 2025 and early-2026 performance, with inflation projected to cool and exports, investment and remittances supporting demand. Finance & Banking: OTP Bank agreed to buy Baltic lender Luminor, a deal that could expand OTP’s euro-area footprint—while regulators and the ECB will weigh approvals. Energy Risk: Rosatom’s financial troubles may delay Central Asia nuclear plans, adding uncertainty for Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan projects. Policy & Business Climate: Uzbekistan dismissed its ambassador to Belarus over weak investment and trade results, signaling tighter economic diplomacy expectations. Self-Employment Formalization: Uzbekistan’s self-employed registration surge (688,800 since start of year) shows continued push to bring platform and independent workers into the tax system. Regional Links: Uzbekistan and India discussed deepening ties in trade and investment after a phone call between their foreign ministers.