BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Uzbekistan's Fergana
region and Belarus' Minsk region have reached preliminary
agreements to launch joint investment projects in agriculture and
manufacturing as the two sides seek to deepen regional economic
cooperation.
This was reflected in the statement by the Fergana Regional
Administration following a meeting between Fergana Deputy Governor
Nuriddin Mamajonov and Vasily Sisoyev, First Deputy Chairman of the
Minsk Regional Executive Committee.
The sides focused on expanding cooperation in trade, investment,
and the agro-industrial sector, with particular attention given to
developing joint agricultural projects and strengthening business
ties between the two regions.
"The meeting focused on taking trade, economic, investment, and
agro-industrial cooperation between our regions to a new level,"
the statement said.
Among the priority initiatives discussed was the implementation
of joint investment projects in the Minsk region's livestock and
potato farming industries. The sides also explored plans to
establish a modern flax processing facility in Uzbekistan's Fergana
region, a project aimed at creating additional value-added
production and expanding industrial cooperation between the two
countries.
According to the regional administration, the proposed flax
processing plant would introduce modern production technologies
while supporting the development of Uzbekistan's textile and
agricultural industries. The sides also discussed opportunities to
exchange expertise in agricultural production, processing
technologies, and investment promotion.
"Particular attention was paid to the opportunities for
implementing joint projects in agriculture, including livestock
breeding and potato cultivation, as well as establishing modern
flax processing production in the Fergana region," the statement
said.
The meeting concluded with preliminary agreements to begin
practical cooperation in the identified sectors and develop
specific investment proposals. Officials said the next stage will
involve preparing concrete project documentation and identifying
business partners to advance the initiatives.
The discussions reflect Uzbekistan's broader strategy of
expanding interregional cooperation with Belarus through direct
partnerships between local governments. In recent years, Tashkent
has encouraged regions to establish long-term economic ties with
foreign counterparts, particularly in manufacturing, agriculture,
and food processing, with the aim of attracting investment,
localizing production, and increasing exports.
If implemented, the proposed projects could strengthen
agricultural cooperation between the two countries while creating
new opportunities for technology transfer and industrial
development in both regions. Officials from Fergana and Minsk said
they intend to continue working together to transform the
preliminary agreements into commercially viable investment projects
that will contribute to regional economic growth.
