France, Uzbekistan to boost trade-economic cooperation

The session was chaired by Minister of Foreign Trade of France Nicole Bricq and Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade of Uzbekistan Elyor Ganiev. It is worth to mention that the session of the commission was held last time four years ago.

During the session, representatives of Uzbekistan and France reached agreement to hold the session of the intergovernmental commission on trade-economic cooperation each year, which will stimulate economic relations between two states.

At the session, the Uzbek side stated that there are opportunities to import grape plants from France. The sides also discussed issues of supply of cattle to Uzbekistan.

It was stated that mission of the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy of France will visit Uzbekistan in near future to clarify needs in railway spheres, including city rail transport.

The sides also considered concrete opportunities of cooperation, including short-term projects for the French companies.

Nicole Bricq recalled that Coface, the French insurance company, specializing in risk insurance, related to external trade and foreign economic activities, are providing support to implementation of large projects in Uzbekistan on behalf of the French Government.

Nicole Bricq also participated in the ceremony on signing of memorandum between the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Government of Uzbekistan on project on processing waste in Samarkand city. It will be the first AFD project in Uzbekistan.

Nicole Bricq said that Uzbekistan and France have many common in economic plan such as powerful agriculture sector and attractive tourism sector. She said the sides should do their best to ensure presence of French companies in Uzbekistan and agriculture sector have reserve for future development. She said the Uzbek side was invited to participate in agriculture and agriculture equipment exhibitions.

According to the French side, trade turnover between two nations is growing in recent years and the volume reached 244 million euros in 2013, which is the highest level so far.