Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 16-18 October, the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov held a series of meetings and negotiations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai with the heads of ministries and departments of the United Arab Emirates and Iran, the Secretary of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Rebecca Greenspan, as well as the heads of large UAE companies.

During the negotiations, the current state and prospects for the development of trade and economic cooperation, the implementation of investment projects in the fields of green energy, transport and logistics, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, aviation and education were discussed.

In particular, during negotiations with the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suheil Al Mazroui, an agreement was reached on the construction of new wind, solar and hydroelectric power stations. The possibilities of attracting Emirati companies to create an interconnected logistics infrastructure, including joint warehouse facilities in Uzbekistan and the UAE, have been studied.

Issues of preparation for the signing of the intergovernmental Economic Cooperation Agreement (SEPA), which provides for the introduction of a free trade regime in goods and services, were discussed with the Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.

UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Al-Suwaidi, emphasizing the effectiveness of the comfortable investment climate created in Uzbekistan, expressed his readiness to increase bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation. Agreements were reached on the implementation of large joint projects in the fields of agriculture and alternative energy.

In a conversation with UNCTAD Secretary General Rebecca Grinspan, the progress of joint work to analyze and develop proposals to improve the investment climate, simplify trade procedures and develop e-commerce, expand the foreign economic potential of Uzbekistan, and promote the country’s accession to the WTO was discussed. The UNCTAD Secretary General highly appreciated the reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan to liberalize and introduce market principles of economic management. Agreements were reached on the development of a unified “Road Map” for joint projects.

On the sidelines of the visit, a meeting was held with the Minister of Economy and Finance of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ahsan Khanduzi. A number of joint projects carried out by the business circles of the two countries were considered, as well as measures to further expand practical interaction and develop trade, economic and investment interaction.

Negotiations were also held with the heads of the companies SWS, Orascom Holdings, Homepital, Burjeel Holding, YAS Holding, Metito, IHC, Fertiglobe, Tadweer, Masdar, TAQA and AMEA Power. Practical aspects of ongoing joint projects and measures to speed up their commissioning were discussed. Specific steps have been outlined to develop and implement new major investment initiatives in the areas of tourism, infrastructure development, healthcare, energy, chemical industry, household waste production, privatization and further development of enterprises with a state share in the authorized capital.

The results of the meetings showed a high level of interest among the government and business circles of the UAE in the implementation of joint projects in our country. In the near future, visits by delegations of UAE companies will be organized for detailed preparation of project documentation and the start of work.