Russia is one of the main investors in the economy of Uzbekistan, but the cooperation between the two countries is far from depleted its potential, there are ample opportunities for the implementation of new joint projects in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and innovative technologies, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Russia is one of the main investors in the economy of Uzbekistan. More than 150 joint projects, estimated at over $14 billion, are currently underway... This kind of cooperation has far from depleted its potential. There are many opportunities for undertaking new direct cooperation projects, creating value chains in manufacturing, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and innovative technology," Putin said in his video message to the participants of the II Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan.
He noted that the Russian Federation now ranks second in the foreign trade turnover of Uzbekistan, and even during the pandemic, our economic cooperation continues to develop. Thus, according to the President, in 2020, trade turnover between the two countries increased by almost 16% and came close to $6 billion, while in the first ten months of this year it has grown by more than 6%. Putin is convinced that much of the credit for this belongs to inter-regional cooperation. The head of state named Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tatarstan, Chelyabinsk, Moscow, Ivanovo and Samara regions among the Russian regions that maintain active economic ties with the Uzbek partners.
According to him, the number of enterprises set up with the participation of Russian capital has increased 2.5 times in the last four years and exceeded two thousand. Among the examples of mutually beneficial cooperation in recent years, Putin mentioned the construction of the Tashkent Metallurgical Plant and Kandym gas-processing plant, as well as the launch in Uzbekistan of harvester production with Rostselmash’s participation.
The Russian leader underlined that the region-to-region ties are not just about the economy or trade. A solid record of accomplishments in working together on protecting the environment, water resources and forests is built. The two countries are carrying out joint projects for addressing the urgent environmental problems of the Aral Sea and facilitating socioeconomic development in the entire Aral Sea region.
"We, of course, welcome the reciprocal interest of our Uzbek friends in intensifying ties with Russian partners. This is evidenced by the fact that only over the past two months, delegations from Uzbekistan visited 20 Russian regions," he added.
Speaking about the forum, the President noted that this bilateral format is important not only for the development of ties between Russian regions and regions of Uzbekistan, but also to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. Putin considers as a good prospect for further deepening of interaction "the closer involvement of Uzbek partners in the work of the Eurasian Economic Union," which should benefit both the Uzbek side and all other members of the association.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from RIA Novosti