Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 24 April 2020, a video conference was held between the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov and Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Li Yong.

During the conversation, the current state and prospects for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan and UNIDO were discussed.

It was noted that the Uzbek side attaches great importance to the development of cooperation with UNIDO, a recognized world leader in industrial development and the implementation of specialized technical assistance programs.

The parties reviewed the implementation of 6 joint project proposals totaling over US$18 million in the areas of innovative development in the textile industry, creation of green jobs, modernization of the clothing industry, etc. In this context, it was noted that Uzbekistan has successfully implemented since 1993 More than 15 UNIDO technical assistance and consultation projects.

The Uzbek side confirmed its interest in participating in the UNIDO program "Building capacity in the field of trade", which will contribute to the process of our country’s entry into the WTO.

The parties paid special attention to establishing cooperation in the development of agro-industrial clusters and free economic zones in Uzbekistan through specialized events, advanced training courses, including sending a UNIDO assessment mission to Uzbekistan to study the current state of SEZs and agricultural clusters and to develop proposals for improving their system management.

As a result of the videoconference, an agreement was reached on the joint development and approval of the Roadmap for the medium-term (for 4 years) Cooperation Program, indicating specific projects and directions, as well as further enhancing interaction with a view to practical implementation of the initiatives and proposals discussed.