Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 7 September, in Tashkent, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev held a meeting with Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Batyr Atdaev, who is in our country as part of a government visit delegation of Turkmenistan.

During the meeting, the progressive development of bilateral relations between the two countries, which gained new momentum after the state visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan in July this year, was emphasized.

It was noted that trade increased by 67% in 2021 and reached US$902 million. This year, the figure increased by another 9% to US$486 million. The importance of taking comprehensive measures to increase the volume of mutual trade was emphasized.

The prospects for the development of industrial cooperation were discussed, bearing in mind the implementation of the Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation and the Development of Industrial Cooperation for 2022-2025 between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

The parties also considered the possibility of holding the next 17th meeting of the Uzbek-Turkmen joint commission on trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation before the end of this year.

In more detail, in the context of specific prospects, the parties discussed cooperation in an expanded composition of delegations - the heads of the main ministries and departments, industry associations and local authorities of the two countries were invited to the dialogue.

The parties expressed mutual readiness to take a set of necessary measures to bring the volume of mutual trade up to US$2 billion in the near future.

The prospects for deepening investment cooperation between the two countries were considered. Today, 173 enterprises with Turkmen capital operate in Uzbekistan, including 69 joint ventures and 104 enterprises with 100% foreign capital. An agreement was reached to significantly increase the number of joint projects in the production of finished textile, pharmaceutical, construction and agricultural products in the two countries. In addition, mutual interest was expressed in organizing the production of cars and agricultural machinery, as well as launching a joint production of household appliances in Turkmenistan.

The possibilities of expanding transport and logistics ties were discussed, bearing in mind measures to stimulate the transit of goods through the territory of both states, as well as organizing pilot transportation along international transport corridors using the capabilities of seaports.

Following the meeting, a commitment was expressed to continue cooperation in all areas discussed in order to expand multifaceted interaction between the two countries.