Russia, Uzbekistan have possibilities to increase number of joint ventures - Russian deputy PM

TASHKENT. June 16 (Interfax) - Russia and Uzbekistan have the possibilities for a further increase in the number of joint ventures, including by organizing platforms for companies from both countries to come and invest in, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said.

"We are creating the conditions for such growth, including by organizing platforms where our companies can come and invest, by having Uzbekistan join Eurasian development institutions and participate as an observer in the Eurasian Economic Union," Overchuk was quoted by the Vesti news service as saying.

Russia is trying to create a healthy investment climate to those ends, he said.

Russia is "interested in everything" in Uzbekistan, he said. "Very good conditions for development are being created here. The economy is diversifying. This is why, in my view, we will be interested in everything here," Overchuk said.

The Eurasian Economic Union is waiting for Uzbekistan, he said. "But, as we say always, it is always a sovereign decision of a country. And it will happen when they feel ripe for it," Overchuk said.