BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 21. Uzbekistan’s
Fergana Region and Iran’s Markazi Province are taking steps to
expand direct economic and investment ties, while exploring
opportunities for joint projects in agriculture, livestock farming,
mining, and manufacturing.
This was reflected in the statement by the Fergana Regional
Administration, following a meeting between Governor Khayrullo
Bozorov and a delegation from Iran’s Markazi Province led by
Governor Mehdi Zandieh-Vakili during the delegation’s visit to
Fergana.
According to the Regional Administration, the delegation also
included representatives from Iranian business circles.
''In the course of the meeting, the sides discussed ways to
strengthen and expand direct relations between Fergana and Markazi
Province across multiple sectors,'' the statement notes.
Uzbek side presented the Iranian delegation with information on
Fergana’s investment and trade potential, industrial zones,
agricultural opportunities and conditions created for
investors.
Zandieh-Vakili said Central Province has 38 industrial towns, a
major oil base and capabilities in the production of insulation
materials and synthetic fibers, expressing readiness to develop
cooperation with Fergana in these areas.
The sides put forward proposals for joint projects and
investment in agriculture, livestock and mining.
Bozorov emphasized the importance of the proposals and said
Fergana has the necessary conditions to develop mutually beneficial
projects with Central Province.
''There are all the necessary opportunities for joint work in
the proposed areas, and developing cooperation in these sectors
will be mutually beneficial for both sides,'' the regional
administration said, citing Bozorov.
The sides also proposed establishing direct contacts between
business representatives from the two regions and organizing
cultural days to strengthen people-to-people ties.
Bozorov separately proposed establishing trade houses in Fergana
and Central Province, saying the initiative could further expand
trade and economic ties between businesses in the two regions.
The parties also identified opportunities for cooperation in
education, healthcare, tourism, culture and sports, in addition to
economic and investment projects.
To ensure that the proposals translate into concrete projects,
the sides agreed to appoint responsible representatives, maintain
regular dialogue and working meetings, and jointly develop and
implement promising initiatives.
The meeting comes as Uzbekistan and Iran continue to expand
bilateral relations, with greater regional cooperation seen as an
important channel for increasing trade, investment and direct
business contacts.
