UK Ambassador to Uzbekistan Tim Torlot and the Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Uzbekistan Mikaela Meredith on Friday (February 17) inked a first-ever partnership agreement that envisages collaboration on projects aimed at supporting Uzbek small businesses in the agricultural and textile sectors.
Reportedly, this would help more Uzbek exporters to maximize the benefits of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (formerly known as the GSP). Uzbekistan was the first country admitted to the UK’s scheme, which is a preferential trade agreement that allows 91% of Uzbek goods and products to be exported to the UK at zero tariff rates, the press service of the UK Embassy reports.
'The project is looking to increase exports of agricultural and textile products to the UK, EU, and other countries. It will include various capacity-building and training activities in Samarkand, Bukhara, Namangan, Syrdarya, and Karakalpakstan, including training for women on digitising embroidery patterns and providing support in securing buyers for the sale of embroidered textile products.
Additionally, the project will train local farmers and agricultural companies on environmentally safe pesticide and fertiliser use, provide support for increasing sales and entering new export markets, advice on production and post-harvest handling practices, as well food safety and certification. It will also support the exports of internationally certified freeze-dried fruits and vegetables', the statement reads.
The British Ambassador, Tim Torlot, said that 'by working together with our US friends and colleagues, we can help more Uzbek exporters to enter the UK and EU markets, which in turn will help create more jobs in rural areas and increase prosperity by creating more trade opportunities'.
'On behalf of USAID, I am honored to accept the British Embassy’s generous cash gift to help strengthen the agriculture sector here in Uzbekistan,” USAID Uzbekistan Mission Director Mikaela Meredith said. 'Our cooperation will help develop the agricultural sector of Uzbekistan, with the goal to send more Uzbek horticultural products into UK and EU supermarket supply chains,' Michaela Meredith added.
Comments (0)