Kazakh manufacturers could also benefit from exports of galvanized steel and other metal products, which are not produced in Uzbekistan. According to forum participants, around 180 entrepreneurs from the region visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan roughly three weeks ago to explore business opportunities. The planned business missions come as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan continue to deepen their strategic economic partnership. Rather than focusing solely on expanding trade between themselves, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are increasingly positioning their partnership as a platform for jointly entering third-country markets. The upcoming business missions to Syria and Iraq represent one of the clearest examples yet of that strategy in practice.