Uzbekistan’s state-owned Uzbekneftegaz might join Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz natural gas project in the Caspian Sea, according to Uzbek’s minister of investment, industry, and trade. Separately, Uzbekistan’s foreign trade deficit declined to USD 3.89 bln during the first four months of 2024, down from USD 4.13 bln a year earlier. Exports rose by 9% YoY in Q1 2024, while imports increased by 3.9% YoY, with China being the largest trade partner.