Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  The European Economic Days 2024, organized by the European-Uzbek Economic Cooperation Association EUROUZ, were officially opened in Tashkent. The event, aimed at strengthening partnership relations, creating new business opportunities, and deepening economic cooperation, brought together over 300 representatives from the government and business circles of Uzbekistan and the EU.

At the start of the event, a message from President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev was read to the forum participants. The President expressed confidence that this first conference would make a significant contribution to further strengthening trade, economic, investment, and cooperative relations with Europe, as well as unlocking the existing potential for collaboration between the two friendly countries.

It was noted that nearly 1,000 enterprises with European capital are currently operating in Uzbekistan. The country has created favorable conditions for joint projects in sectors such as electrical engineering, machine engineering, chemistry, mining metallurgy, energy, agriculture, textile manufacturing, tourism, and more.

In her video address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized Uzbekistan’s growing role in global trade and investment, highlighting its important geopolitical position and vast potential for cooperation with the EU.

The EU expressed its readiness to enhance cooperation in areas such as information technology, mining, and mineral processing. This will open new enterprises, create jobs, and jointly develop transport and logistics corridors.

Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, presented key figures, including over $30 billion in joint projects with EU companies, as well as the participation of over 320 EU representatives at the 3rd Tashkent Investment Forum.

Participants were provided with information on efforts being made in Uzbekistan to improve the investment and business climate. Notably, effective measures aimed at increasing trade volume, developing cross-border transport corridors, and creating new business initiatives in electronics, agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals, and chemical industries were highlighted.

EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Toivo Klaar, praised the impressive results of the country’s irreversible reforms, the openness of the economy, and favorable conditions for investors, urging EU companies to actively engage in joint projects in Uzbekistan and expand their presence in various sectors.

At the conclusion of the event, a roadmap was signed for the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on strategic partnership in sustainable raw material value chains between the European Union and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

European Economic Days 2024 became an important platform for strengthening bilateral relations and creating new opportunities for economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU.