Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 30 January 2025, Tashkent hosted the Uzbek-French Business Forum, gathering representatives from over 50 leading French companies, including AIRBUS, Experto Consulting, Iveco Group, MND, Roxalex, Suez, Société Générale, ALSTOM, Veolia Energy, EDF International Networks, Voltalia, TotalEnergies, and others.

The Uzbek delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade Khurram Teshabaev, while the French side was represented by Claude Imoven, Chairman of MEDEF International and CEO of Orano.

The forum presented information about the favorable conditions created in Uzbekistan for foreign investors, mechanisms for protecting their rights and interests, and the significant industrial and investment potential of the country. Special attention was given to successful examples of collaboration with French companies in sectors such as energy, mining, water supply, transport, and tourism.

In his opening speech, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev highlighted the rapid development of economic relations between the two countries, demonstrating a high growth rate. Over the past seven years, bilateral trade turnover has increased almost fivefold, reaching US$1.13 billion.

The number of French companies operating in Uzbekistan has grown fourfold, with 50 companies currently involved in construction, agriculture, tourism, and other sectors.

Considering the high potential for further economic cooperation, French entrepreneurs were invited to participate in the implementation of new promising projects. The open discussion format allowed participants to present their initiatives and make proposals on a number of key areas.

The forum concluded with bilateral B2B and B2G meetings, where business representatives discussed the prospects for implementing investment and trade agreements and established new business contacts.