Uzbek president, UK trade minister discuss expanding trade, economic cooperation
TASHKENT. Oct 12 (Interfax) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has met with UK Minister of State for Trade Lord Anas Sarwar, the head of state's press service said.
"They discussed further elaborating mutually beneficial partnership, primarily in the trade and economic sphere," the press service said.
The direction of the development of the political dialogue between the two countries, as well as active contacts and exchanges at various levels, were noted with satisfaction. Effective cooperation in security has been established.
The participants noted an increase in the level of mutual trade. There are currently 260 joint enterprises involving the participation of British capital operating in Uzbekistan.
The holding of the first IPO of the Uzbek National Investment Fund on the London Stock Exchange represents an important event in the development of economic cooperation.
The British bank Standard Chartered is active in the financial sector of Uzbekistan, and the company BP is involved in the country's oil and gas industry.
Cooperation in the field of education is also developing. Three joint higher educational institutions have been created, and presidential schools have been launched in partnership with the University of Cambridge. The number of British tourists visiting Uzbekistan is growing.
The meeting's participants emphasised the importance of promoting new joint projects, including with the participation of the UK Export Finance (UKEF) agency, in such areas as infrastructure, energy, finance, geology, transport, education and healthcare.
The British side expressed its readiness to assist in organizing the activities of the International Financial Center in Tashkent, which will operate on the principles of English law.
Following the meeting, an agreement was reached on developing a joint roadmap for the further development of wide-ranging Uzbek-British cooperation.
As reported, the UK minister of state for trade took part in the second meeting of the Uzbek-British Economic Committee in Tashkent on Friday. The meeting discussed the implementation of 46 projects, financing with the participation of UK Export Finance, the development of the Tashkent International Financial Center, and cooperation in electrical engineering, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals and transport engineering.
