Representatives of over 30 US companies participated at the event. Among them were representatives of Boeing, Solar Turbines, General Motors, Merk, General Electric Energy, Anadarko, Zeppelin International, Case New Holland, Nukem and others.

First Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Rustam Azimov, speaking at the business forum, said that Uzbekistan is one of the fast growing and diversified economies. He said that for last five years Uzbek economy grows in average by 8.7% a year.

He said that the share of fuel-energy complex is the structure of GDP is decreasing and currently it makes up 6.1%.

Vice Premier said that Uzbekistan creates new capacities and industries. He said that average industrial growth makes up 13% in last five years, machinery – 19% a year, food and light industry – 12% a year.

Azimov said that the deficit of budget of Uzbekistan made up 53% in 1992 and Uzbekistan has been ensuring deficit-free budget from 2005.

Speaking about state debt, he said that the Government fully stopped to take debt from Central Bank of Uzbekistan. He added that the Government repaid all its debt. He said that the Government will repay treasury bills by the end of 2012.

Rustam Azimov underlined that internal debt of Uzbekistan will be equal to zero. Foreign debt of Uzbekistan makes up 16%, while state foreign debt – 7%, he said.

Vice-Premier stated that gold-currency reserves of Uzbekistan grew and currently exceeds 20-month import of the country.

Rustam Azimov said that the volume of investments into Uzbekistan makes up US$2 billion. He added that Uzbekistan is interested in attracting technologies of the US firms. He said Uzbekistan earlier requested technologies and investments from investors, now the country is ready to finance projects.

He stated that Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan participated in financing large projects in country. He said the capital of the fund reached US$11 billion, while announced capital – US$15 billion.

He underlined that attraction of investments is not primary goal now. He said that selection of good projects is primary goal.

The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake said that Uzbekistan has great economic potential and the US companies are interested in investing into the country.

During the business forum, its participants discussed issues of mutual cooperation on strengthening interaction between two states, as well as investment climate in Uzbekistan.

At the event, the Uzbek side presented social-economic development of Uzbekistan, measures on further improving business environment, investment climate, opportunities of cooperation in realization of high technologic projects at Navoi free industrial and economic zone and Angren special industrial zone.

The participants familiarized with perspectives of bilateral cooperation in machinery, electrotechnical, aviation, mining, energy, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals. The sides considered mechanisms of financing investment projects in Uzbekistan by the US firms.

Uzbekistan has successful experience of cooperation with the US firms. For example, Uzbekistan cooperates with General Motors, Case New Holland, and others.

Uzbekistan and the United States established diplomatic relations in 1992. In the same year, the sides inked agreement on investment preferences. In 1993, they signed agreement on trade relations.

Trade turnover between two states made up US$249.9 million. In January-June, the figure made up US$127 million.

Currently, some 241 enterprises with the US invetsments are registered in Uzbekistan. They work in such areas as automobile, oil and gas, light, food, machinery, construction materials, trade and services, etc. Some 47 US firms were accredited at the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade of Uzbekistan.