Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Expertise France will continue supporting Uzbekistan in achieving its sustainable development goals. This was stated by Jérémie Pellet, Director General of the French technical cooperation agency Expertise France.

Jérémie Pellet visited Uzbekistan for the first time from 17 to 18 March. During his trip, he met with Uzbek officials, discussed ongoing projects, and signed new agreements to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

He noted that the organization has been operating in Uzbekistan since 2020 and has a team of 10 employees in its office.

“Our main goal is to support and promote technical cooperation with the government of Uzbekistan,” he emphasized.

Areas of Cooperation

As part of its comprehensive support for Uzbekistan, the agency focuses on communication, green economy development, transition to sustainable practices, and efficient water resource management. Particular attention is also given to cultural heritage preservation, with Expertise France actively mobilizing resources to safeguard the country’s cultural assets.

The agency’s project portfolio in Central Asia amounts to €23 million and is expected to reach €30 million by 2025, with approximately 70% of these funds allocated to Uzbekistan.

Key Partners and Projects

At present, Expertise France’s primary partners in Uzbekistan include the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Energy. However, the agency is also expanding its collaboration to the digital and transportation sectors, Jérémie Pellet noted.

Notably, over the past two years, Expertise France has supported the establishment of an energy sector regulator, which is now functioning successfully.

Additionally, the agency has worked with municipalities and companies to enhance energy efficiency and is currently cooperating with Uzbekistan Railways on transportation and energy efficiency projects.

“In Uzbekistan, we engage with a wide range of partners and are undoubtedly committed to continuing this work,” Pellet stressed.

Franco-Uzbek Strategic Partnership

The agency’s head highlighted that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s recent visit to Paris marked a significant milestone, culminating in the signing of a strategic partnership agreement.

This partnership places special emphasis on the development of strategic infrastructure, including transportation and railways, closely aligned with the European Union’s support for strategic transport corridors.

Furthermore, Expertise France is exploring additional opportunities to support cultural heritage preservation.

According to Pellet, French experts have already played a role in organizing major exhibitions of Uzbek art in France, including at the Louvre and the Institut du Monde Arabe. These exhibitions attracted a large number of visitors, underscoring the importance of continuing efforts to preserve Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage.

Digital Connectivity and the Trans-Caspian Corridor

During his visit to Tashkent, Jérémie Pellet also signed a project on digital connectivity in Central Asia together with European Commissioner for International Partnerships Josef Sikela.

Pellet stated that the program, implemented by Expertise France in collaboration with four European agencies, aims to expand internet access in rural areas, enhance cybersecurity, and foster a startup ecosystem utilizing geospatial data for agriculture and urban development.

The program consists of two key components:

The development of satellite communication in regions lacking broadband internet, with an allocation of €60 million.

A “soft” component worth €20 million, focused on developing digital skills among rural populations and youth, supporting the digital economy, and promoting online business.

To implement these initiatives, a regional team will be established, along with a dedicated team based in Tashkent.

Pellet emphasized that particular attention is being given to the Trans-Caspian Corridor, a key EU initiative under the Global Gateway program, with a budget of €17 billion. France and the EU aim to digitalize logistics along the corridor, simplify border crossings, and reduce cargo transportation times—critical for both Uzbekistan’s economy and the EU.

He added that Expertise France will be involved in digitalizing ports and infrastructure to accelerate border crossings. The agency will also analyze bottlenecks and develop solutions to reduce delivery times.

Future Prospects for Cooperation

France and the EU will remain reliable partners for Uzbekistan, despite the reduction of USAID programs. “Our assistance will remain stable,” Pellet assured, highlighting projects focused on women’s rights, climate change adaptation, and private sector support.

In the coming years, Expertise France plans to expand its cooperation with Uzbek ministries and businesses, leveraging the expertise of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), which the agency has been part of since 2022.

“We are here for the long haul,” Pellet concluded, recalling AFD’s 10th anniversary and Expertise France’s five years of work in the region.