Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 24 October, the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov took part in the meeting of ministers of Central Asian countries on regional integration under the auspices of the regional diplomatic platform “C5+1”.

The event was also attended by the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development USAID Samantha Power, the Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Shakkaliev, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic Chingiz Mekeshov, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan Akhliddin Nuriddinzoda, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations Turkmenistan Kerimberdi Kurbanov, representatives of USAID, ministries and departments of Central Asian countries.

Addressing the meeting participants with a welcoming speech, Laziz Kudratov emphasized the importance of strengthening and developing economic cooperation between the countries of the region through the joint development of comprehensive measures to ensure food security, the sustainability of product supply chains and the fight against climate change.

In this context, the importance of continuing work to implement the agreements reached during the historic meeting of the heads of state of the region within the framework of the C5+1 platform in September this year in New York City was noted.

The significant strengthening of relations between the states of Central Asia in the last few years was emphasized, thanks to which it was possible to achieve breakthrough growth in indicators in the socio-economic sphere.

In particular, the total foreign trade turnover of the countries of the region in 2022 almost doubled compared to 2017 and amounted to US$220 billion, and the volume of mutual investments increased 5.6 times. The total GDP of the Central Asian countries has grown by 40% over the past five years and by the end of 2022 exceeded US$406 billion.

It was emphasized that the results achieved are only an intermediate stage towards the implementation of measures to fully utilize the potential of trade and economic cooperation between the countries of the region.

During the meeting, panel sessions were held dedicated to developing common positions on the development of the digital and green economy, improving the investment and favorable environment for doing business, developing labor resources, and increasing food security in the region.

Special attention was paid to expanding intraregional trade and diversifying transport corridors, improving energy integration and measures to combat climate change by increasing the production of clean energy.

A press conference was held by USAID Administrator Samantha Power, during which representatives of domestic and foreign media were informed about the organization’s projects to ensure the accelerated implementation of joint initiatives in the areas of trade, energy and environmental protection.

At the end of the event, a joint statement was adopted and a ceremony was held to sign Memorandums of Understanding on decarbonization and digitalization of customs procedures between the countries of the region and USAID.