The IV Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Interregional Forum was held in Tashkent, focusing on expanding ties between the two countries, implementing joint projects and exchanging cooperation documents.
The forum was held with the support of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, and jointly organized by the Export and Investment Promotion Agency — AZPROMO and Uzbekistan’s Foreign Investment Attraction Agency, Caliber.Az reports, citing Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy.
The event brought together government officials from both countries, as well as representatives of around 400 companies operating in heavy industry, mechanical engineering, metallurgy and metalworking, construction, textiles, agriculture, food production, tourism, education, medicine and pharmaceuticals, engineering, consulting, mining, chemicals, furniture, electrical engineering, automotive manufacturing, leather goods, plastic processing and other sectors.
Speaking at the forum, Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov said the intensive development of Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations, driven by the political will of the two countries’ heads of state, is providing an important impetus for further diversifying economic ties and strengthening business partnerships.
The minister noted the positive dynamics in economic relations between the two countries, which enjoy a strategic partnership, and emphasized the broad opportunities for strengthening regional ties. It was noted that relations are developing actively not only at the interstate level, but also between cities and regions.
The participants highlighted opportunities to actively advance cooperation and develop partnerships in industry, investment, trade, energy, transport and transit, digitalization, agriculture and other areas, as well as to strengthen direct ties between business communities.
It was also emphasized that the Middle Corridor is one of the key areas of economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. The goal is to transform the corridor from merely a transit route into an economic platform where added value is created. To this end, it is important to deepen cooperation in coordinating rail and maritime transportation, optimizing tariffs and expanding digital data exchange.
Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur are of particular importance in terms of new investment opportunities. Infrastructure created by the state and investment incentives are providing favorable conditions for the private sector. Uzbekistan’s support for the restoration of territories liberated from occupation is an important indicator of the fraternal relations between the two countries.
Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov said economic relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are developing steadily. He emphasized the broad opportunities to increase bilateral trade and investment, strengthen direct business ties between the regions and implement joint projects.
AZPROMO Executive Director Yusif Abdullayev and Acting Director of Uzbekistan’s Foreign Investment Attraction Agency Roxana Nesor briefed participants on the investment and export potential of the two countries, as well as the support mechanisms available to entrepreneurs.
Deputy Head of the Tashkent City Administration Sharof Rakhmanov, Head of the Baku City Executive Authority Eldar Azizov, Deputy Head of the Tashkent Region Administration Jaxongir Mamajonov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Aghdam, Fuzuli and Khojavend districts Emin Huseynov, Head of the Namangan City Executive Authority Ayubkhon Kamalov and Head of the Bilasuvar District Executive Authority Faig Gurbanov also addressed the forum.
Their remarks focused on expanding interregional cooperation and creating new opportunities for partnership.
In addition, Deputy Chairman of Uzavtosanoat JSC Davron Xidoyatov and Board Member of AzerShakar LLC Javid Abdullayev discussed expanding joint business activities and advancing joint projects.
As part of the successfully concluded IV Interregional Forum between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, a number of documents aimed at developing cooperation between the two countries in various fields were exchanged.
The documents cover priority areas including energy, finance, infrastructure, construction and manufacturing, and provide for further strengthening ties between business associations, fully realizing the potential of the private sector and implementing joint projects.
The forum continued with meetings between representatives of the business communities.
By Jeyhun Aghazada
