Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A delegation of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the United States visited Texas, where it held meetings with representatives of the business community in which prospects for trade, economic and investment partnership were discussed, Dunyo reported.

According to statistics, the economy of this state ranks second in the US in terms of GDP. This is one of the largest centers of agriculture, banking, oil and gas and chemical industries. Texas has the headquarters of over fifty Fortune 500 companies, including ExxonMobil, Halliburton, Sysco, Kimberly-Clark, American Airlines Group and others.

As part of the trip, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the United States, Javlon Vahabov, met with President of the Houston Greater Houston Partnership business community Bob Harvey and representatives of the Texas Oil and Gas Association. At the talks, the prospects of attracting American investors in the exploration, production and expansion of production capacities of gas and oil fields of Uzbekistan were discussed.

Given the special importance of Houston as one of the world’s centers for oil and natural gas production and refining, an agreement was reached to continue cooperation within the framework of the largest international forums in the oil and gas industry held annually here.

According to B. Harvey, the participation of leading industry players on the Uzbek market would be facilitated by the participation of oil and gas industry leaders at the IHS CERAWeek forum scheduled for March 2020, as well as at the 23rd World Petroleum Congress, will be held on 6-10 December 2020 in Houston.

During the visit, the delegation visited the industrial site of Air Tractor, one of the largest manufacturers of agricultural aircraft and fire fighting.

Established in 1978, this company has a dealership network in several US states, and is represented in Canada, Argentina, South Africa and Spain. Annually, over 100 aircraft are produced at its plants. In 2018, more than 20 percent of turboprop aircraft manufactured worldwide were launched by Air Tractor. The company also produces aircraft for pollination of crops.

The delegation got acquainted with the full Air Tractor production cycle, the flight performance of the company’s aircraft, their comparative advantages when applied in agriculture in the conditions of Uzbekistan, and ensuring international safety standards.

At a meeting with the president of the company, Jim Hirsch, the prospects of renewal of the agricultural aviation fleet of Uzbekistan, as well as the opening of the regional distribution center Air Tractor and a service station in the country were discussed.

Separately, negotiations were held with the president of the company specializing in investment management and consulting, Riter Management Company L.C., Whit Riter.

The head of the company expressed his readiness to assist in attracting Texas state investors in the oil and gas, chemical and financial sectors of Uzbekistan, including through participation in public-private partnership projects.

Interest in the capital market opportunities of Uzbekistan was expressed by the large financial companies of Dallas - Ciera Bank, UBS Financial, Bank of Texas and others.

During the visit, consultations were also held with representatives of the World Affairs Council and companies in the construction, medical and oil and gas sectors. The business community is provided with information about the investment potential of Uzbekistan, the opening up opportunities for companies in connection with the ongoing privatization and industrialization processes in our country.

Representatives of American business expressed their willingness to participate in the upcoming Uzbek-American business forum, which will be held in Washington on 21-22 October, and to discuss potential projects with representatives of the Uzbek economy.