BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 14. Uzbekistan’s Bukhara
region and France’s Orano plan to expand investment cooperation and
integrate local enterprises into global supply chains.


This was announced in a statement published by the press service
of the Uzbek government, following the meeting between the Governor
of Bukhara region, Botir Zaripov, and Claude Imauven, Chairman of
the Board of Directors of the French state-owned nuclear fuel cycle
group Orano.


''The high-level meeting focused on accelerating interregional
connections and introducing advanced technologies into Bukhara's
developing industrial base. Zaripov detailed the administrative and
tax incentives structured for foreign investors in the region,
while both sides explored joint implementation paths for
prospective projects,'' the press service of the Uzbek government
says.


Highlighting the long-standing cultural framework underpinning
the relationship, the officials noted the sister-city ties between
Bukhara and the French city of Rueil-Malmaison, where a monument to
the historic scholar Abu Ali ibn Sino (Avicenna) serves as a symbol
of scientific and cultural exchange. To leverage this established
diplomatic foundation for industrial growth, Zaripov and Imauven,
who also heads the France-Uzbekistan Business Council at MEDEF
International, agreed to map out target sectors for direct
commercial partnerships.


''At the meeting, detailed information was provided on the
industrial potential, production capacities, and favorable
conditions created for foreign investors in the Bukhara region,''
the government stated.







Earlier, the discussions were also held between Uzbekistan's
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Jamshid
Kuchkarov, and a French business delegation led by Claude Imauven,
chairman of the France-Uzbekistan Business Council, on July 9.


Representatives of several major French companies, including
Orano, IKA Technology, Blue Water Intelligence (BWI), Groupe SNEF,
and Vinci Construction Grands Projets, attended the meeting
alongside officials from Uzbekistan's Ministry of Economy and
Finance.


''The parties discussed further expanding practical cooperation
with French companies, improving the efficiency of ongoing
projects, and supporting new investment initiatives,'' the ministry
said.