BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 7. Uzbekistan and
Japan discussed expanding cooperation in business, infrastructure,
mining and geology during a meeting between Uzbek Deputy Minister
of Mining Industry and Geology U. Yusupov, Japanese Prime
Minister’s Special Advisor Yoshimasa Uno and Japanese Ambassador to
Uzbekistan Kenji Hirata on Oct. 6 in Tashkent.
This was reflected in the statement by the Ministry of Mining
Industry and Geology of Uzbekistan.
The sides reviewed opportunities to strengthen strategic
cooperation in geological exploration, mineral extraction and
processing, as well as measures to attract Japanese investment and
advanced technologies to Uzbekistan’s mining sector.
Additionally, the sides discussed prospects for implementing
joint investment projects and expanding practical cooperation in
mining and geological development, according to Uzbekistan’s
Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology.
"In particular, issues of strategic partnership in the field of
geological exploration, mining and processing of minerals,
attraction of Japanese investments and advanced technologies, as
well as prospects for the implementation of joint investment
projects were considered," the ministry said in the statement.
The meeting focused on developing cooperation between Uzbekistan
and Japan in areas where Japanese investment, technology and
expertise could support geological exploration and the processing
of mineral resources.
Japan has emerged as an important partner for Uzbekistan in
developing its mineral-resource sector, with cooperation involving
geological exploration, critical minerals, technology transfer and
investment. Japanese organizations, including the Japan
Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and companies such as ITOCHU, have been involved in projects related to
uranium, precious metals and mineral exploration, while the two
countries are also exploring opportunities to expand cooperation in
mineral processing and beneficiation.
