Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov is on a working visit to Uzbekistan today. Within the framework of the program, Rustam Minnikhanov took part in the ceremony of laying the first stone in the construction of the Chirchik chemical-industrial technopark (Tashkent region).

Prior to the ceremony, a working meeting of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov took place. Traditionally, the President of Tatarstan began the conversation with words of gratitude to the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan for the invitation and the opportunity for a bilateral meeting.

Separately, Rustam Minnikhanov noted that the meeting is taking place during the days of the celebration of the bright spring holiday of Navruz, which is celebrated especially widely in Uzbekistan: “This is a celebration of the awakening of nature, renewal and hope. Navruz is one of the most ancient holidays on earth. I wish you and all the people of Uzbekistan well-being, prosperity and a happy life.” 

During the conversation, the parties also discussed issues of economic cooperation between the regions of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Tatarstan within the framework of Russian-Uzbek relations. Among the main issues were the implementation of a joint project for the construction of the chemical-industrial technopark "Chirchik" in Tashkent region; for the supply of KAMAZ trucks and consideration of the supply of buses and electric buses; to sell a wide range of tire products from Nijnekamskshina and expand the network of Tatneft gas stations. Rustam Minnikhanov briefly presented to Abdulla Aripov the projects of other large Tatarstan companies that are ready to expand cooperation.

The ceremony of laying the first stone in the construction of the Chirchik chemical-industrial technopark was opened by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov.

He stressed that the ceremony takes place during the celebration of the Navruz holiday and symbolizes the revival and a new stage in the development of bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Russia, being an example of cooperation with the Republic of Tatarstan.

“The Chirchik technopark project is being implemented thanks to the experience and knowledge of colleagues from Tatarstan. By a special decision of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirizieyev, residents are provided with significant tax benefits and exemption from customs duties for up to 3 years. Today, partners not only from Russia, but also from China, India, South Korea and other countries are interested in working conditions in the technopark. Technopark is open to everyone. In the coming years, more than 100 items of important products for the economy of Uzbekistan will be produced here,” he said.

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, in turn, said: “Today we are present at the ceremony of laying the first stone in the construction of the Chirchik chemical-industrial technopark. First of all, I want to thank the leadership of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Uzbekistan for supporting the development of Tatarstan-Uzbekistan cooperation, as well as everyone who takes part in the implementation of this project. All the necessary conditions for residents will be created on an area of 31.2 hectares. The presence of an integrated engineering infrastructure will ensure a quick start of production. The residents of the site will be small and medium-sized businesses. It is planned to create at least 2,200 jobs. The industrial park in the city of Chirchik is a good contribution to the expansion of Russian-Uzbek cooperation at the regional level.”

During his speech, Rustam Minnikhanov announced that the first residents of the technopark are the Tatarstan companies VR-Plast LLC for the production of plastic, Bionovatik LLC - a manufacturer of plant protection products and Natural Health LLC - a manufacturer of biologically active additives. In conclusion, he congratulated all those present on this significant event and Navruz holiday, and wished a successful start.

The participants and guests of the ceremony were shown a video about the stages of the project implementation and a presentation of the capabilities of the chemical industrial technopark "Chirchik" was held. All those present also got acquainted with the product samples of the resident companies of the Chirchik Chemical Industrial Technopark.

In 2018, preparatory work began on the creation of an industrial park in Tashkent region of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In 2021, during a visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, a decision was made to create an industrial park in the city of Chirchik on the basis of the unused buildings of JSC Uzbek Combine of Refractory and Heat-Resistant Metals and JSC Maxam-Chirchik. Currently, on the territory of the future technopark, two buildings are being reconstructed and one new building of the industrial park is being built.

In January 2022, a delegation of the Republic of Tatarstan headed by Deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan - Minister of Industry and Trade of Tatarstan Albert Karimov visited Uzbekistan. Part The delegation included representatives of the Kazan technopolis JSC "Khimgrad" and 15 companies - potential residents of the chemical industrial technopark Chirchik. The companies were provided with all the necessary information on the possibilities of accommodation in the industrial park, obtaining tax benefits and other preferences.

The first joint project of a resident of VR-Plast LLC, which is planned to be implemented in the Chirchik technopark, is related to the production of thermoplastic elastomers in the form of granules and the manufacture of products from it - seals for windows and watering hoses.

The second project is a joint venture of LLC "Bionovatik Agro" for the production of biological plant protection products (biofungicides, bioinsecticides, biofertilizers).

The third project of Natural Health LLC is related to the production of household and health products from highly elastic multicomponent polyurethane, as well as the storage and sale of food complexes, additives and dietary supplements.

The ceremony ended with the signing of a road map to expand cooperation between the Khokimiyat of the city of Tashkent and the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan for 2022-2023.

Also, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov and the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Nijnekamsk municipal district of the Republic of Tatarstan and the municipality of the city of Chirchik, an agreement on investment in the territory of the Chirchik chemical industrial park between Bionovatik LLC and the joint venture Management Company of Technopark Chirchik LLC, investment agreement on the territory of the Chirchik Chemical Industrial Park between VR-Plast LLC and JV LLC Management Company of the Chirchik Technopark LLC Natural Health LLC and JV LLC UK Technopark Chirchik.