Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov and Governor of Penza region Oleg Melnichenko held a meeting in Tashkent.

The parties discussed issues of expanding cooperation between the Penza region and the regions of Uzbekistan. 

“We are working in the direction set by the heads of our states to deepen strategic partnership and alliance,” Melnichenko said.

According to the governor, Uzbekistan is one of the three strategic partners of the Penza region.

He noted that Penza region signed a cooperation agreement with the khokim of Bukhara region. The regional delegation also held negotiations with the khokim of Samarkand region. The parties also plan to sign bilateral documents.

The governor of Penza region noted that trade turnover between the region and Uzbekistan in 2023 amounted to more than US$1 billion and there is great potential for further growth.

Oleg Melnichenko noted that he proposed to the head of the Government of Uzbekistan to locate production sites of Penza industrial enterprises in special economic zones of Uzbekistan.

“I also see great opportunities for cooperation in the fields of agriculture, clothing production, tourism and education,” the governor noted.

Oleg Melnichenko also proposed developing railway communications between the Penza region and the regions of Uzbekistan. In particular, he proposed resuming passenger transportation on the Andijan-Penza route.