BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 10. Uzbek President
Shavkat Mirziyoyev and UK Minister of State for Trade Anas Sarwar
discussed expanding trade, investment and financial cooperation,
including new projects backed by UK Export Finance (UKEF), during a
meeting in Tashkent on Oct. 9.
This was reflected in the statement by the press service of the
Uzbek president.
Sarwar, who visited Uzbekistan to attend the second meeting of
the Uzbekistan-UK Joint Economic Committee, conveyed greetings and
a special message from UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to
Mirziyoyev.
The sides reviewed the development of bilateral relations,
highlighting growing political dialogue, exchanges at various
levels, and cooperation in security.
Particular attention was paid to developing new projects with
potential UKEF participation in infrastructure, energy, finance,
geology, transport, education and health care.
Moreover, the UK side expressed readiness to support the
development of the Tashkent International Financial Centre, which
is planned to operate under English law.
“Following the meeting, the parties agreed to adopt a joint
roadmap for further developing multifaceted cooperation,” the
presidential administration said.
The meeting followed the second session of the Uzbekistan-UK
Joint Economic Committee, where officials also discussed trade,
investment and industrial cooperation.
Meanwhile, economic ties between the two countries have
expanded. There are 260 joint ventures in Uzbekistan involving
British and Uzbek partners. Uzbekistan’s National Investment Fund
recently completed an initial public offering on the London Stock
Exchange, while the British financial institution Standard
Chartered operates in the country, and bp is actively engaged in
the oil and gas sector.
In addition, the two countries have established three joint
universities, and presidential schools operate in partnership with
the University of Cambridge. According to information, the number
of British tourists visiting Uzbekistan is also growing.
