Uzbekistan and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership, expanding investment cooperation, and boosting mutual trade, Dunyo reports.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Jamshid Khojaev, led a delegation to Washington where they held meetings with US politicians, representatives, and heads of leading American companies. Reportedly, the talks included discussions with Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lou, US Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Alan Estevez, US Deputy Trade Representative, Sarah Bianchi, President of the Uzbek-American Chamber of Commerce, Caroline Lemm, and other officials.
Donald Lu and the Uzbek delegation discussed further expanding and strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. The American side welcomed the large-scale reforms in Uzbekistan and expressed its readiness further to develop cooperation to implement large-scale projects. The dialogue also reviewed the current status of trade and investment cooperation, and the parties agreed to expand cooperation within the framework of accelerating the process of Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
In addition, the parties discussed the prospects of increasing the volume of mutual trade. The United States highly appreciated the efforts of Uzbekistan to increase the efficiency of foreign trade processes. They noted the importance of forming a joint working group and organizing training sessions for representatives of Uzbekistan's ministries, departments, and commercial banks to expand practical cooperation and ensure trade growth.
At a meeting with US Deputy Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi, the parties focused on enhancing the investment attractiveness of Uzbekistan, removing trade barriers, and further simplifying trade operations. The successful activities of US companies implementing joint investment projects in Uzbekistan in energy, mechanical engineering, textiles, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and other spheres were noted. The parties agreed to hold additional meetings and negotiations to identify further practical steps to enhance mutual trade and economic cooperation.
Besides, a roundtable was organized with the participation of members of the American-Uzbek Chamber of Commerce and heads of large American businesses. Participants presented information on the work in Uzbekistan to improve the investment climate, create privileges and preferences, improve legislation to protect investors' rights, expand privatization processes, and reduce the state's share in the economy. Representatives of the US business community appreciated the effectiveness of reforms in Uzbekistan and drew attention to the importance of increasing direct interaction between large companies of the two countries in several areas to implement joint technology projects.
At the end of the visit, the parties confirmed their commitment to further strengthening the strategic partnership, expanding investment cooperation, and boosting mutual trade.
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