Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov arrived on a working visit to Uzbekistan.

The main purpose of his visit is to participate in the International Industrial Exhibition “INNOPROM. Central Asia" (Tashkent, on 22-24 April 2024).

During the visit, Rustam Minnikhanov met with the khokim of Bukhara region, Botir Zaripov. The main topic of discussion was the prospects for the development of the Special Industrial Park “Bukhara Industrial Development Complex”.

At the meeting, Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized the need to present the site in a number of countries. He also expressed his opinion on the importance of creating an educational institution to train personnel for future enterprises.

The khokim of Bukhara region expressed gratitude to Rustam Minnikhanov for his attention to the project and assured that all suggestions would be taken into account.

Rustam Minnikhanov noted his readiness to develop cooperation in such areas as mechanical engineering, supply of petrochemical products, agricultural machinery, oil and gas, compressor and refrigeration equipment. Interest was also expressed in the supply of car tires and Halal products.

“Our republic is open to investment and innovation, and also serves as an entry point to the country’s market for foreign companies,” emphasized Rustam Minnikhanov.

Rustam Minnikhanov also visited the sites of the Special Industrial Park “Bukhara Industrial Development Complex”.

Last October, during the visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Tatarstan, he was presented with the experience of operating special economic zones in the republic. This experience aroused great interest, and as a result of the visit, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed, according to which Tatarstan is ready to provide consultations on the construction of a SEZ in Uzbekistan.

In February of this year, by decision of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a Special Industrial Park was created in Bukhara. Today, Rustam Minnikhanov was presented with a master plan for the development of the territory, the area of which is 1000 hectares. The park is located 20 kilometers from the center of Bukhara, 11 kilometers from the international airport, next to the passing railway line. At the first stage, it is planned to build an electrical substation, two industrial facilities, an administrative block, a training center, a customs building and truck service areas.

Rustam Minnikhanov drew attention to the need to attract residents at the construction stage for the successful implementation of the project. The accompanying Minister of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, said that they are ready to attract, among other things, partners from Tatarstan as residents.

“The most important thing here is the investor who will come. It is necessary today to have an idea of who approximately will be a resident,” Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized.

He noted that for this it is necessary to create a package of documents reflecting the main preferences provided by this industrial complex. “It is best to build specifically for someone, perhaps so that investors themselves take part in the construction,” he added.

The head of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, separately emphasized that the conditions agreed upon during the opening of the special economic zone must remain unchanged over the next 10 years.

Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, in turn, assured that in accordance with the instructions of the President of Uzbekistan on cooperation with Tatarstan, the first main facilities necessary for the launch of the special economic zone will be commissioned by the end of this year.

After this, Rustam Minnikhanov visited Navoi region. Upon arrival, a meeting took place with khokim Normat Tursunov. Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized the importance of cooperation between the regions, noting that the Navoi region has significant natural resources, developed industry and agriculture.

“We are intensively interacting with Uzbek partners, paying special attention to new projects, such as KIP “Master” - the creation of an industrial park on the territory of the Navoi FEZ,” emphasized Rustam Minnikhanov.

The regional khokim also noted the support of the project from the President of the country and expressed gratitude to Rustam Minnikhanov for his attention to the implementation of the industrial park.

During the meeting, Rustam Minnikhanov was also presented with the sites of the industrial park on the territory of the Navoi FEZ. It involves the construction of two production buildings with the necessary engineering and transport infrastructure, and then the rental of finished premises to residents of the industrial park. At the moment, memoranda on the implementation of investment projects have already been signed with three companies.

Rustam Minnikhanov visited the production sites of the Benkam alu extrusions company, specializing in the production of aluminum profiles, in the city of Navoi.

This plant is located in the Navoi free economic zone and has a production capacity of up to 40 thousand tons of finished products per year. During the visit, Rustam Minnikhanov was shown the production process and told about the geography of product sales.

Also, as part of his visit to the special zone, Rustam Minnikhanov visited the production site of the Hayat Power Cables company, which produces power cables. The plant has a production capacity of up to 4,200 tons of cable products per year by metal weight, including 3,000 tons of copper and 1,200 tons of aluminum products.