Grodno and Samarkand discuss cooperation in agriculture and industry

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Chairman of the Grodno Regional Executive Committee, Yuri Karayev, held a working meeting with the Deputy Khokim of the Samarkand region of Uzbekistan, Khurshidbek Samiyev. The negotiations focused on developing interregional cooperation in agriculture, industry, and the furniture sector.

Yuri Karayev noted the high economic and demographic potential of Uzbekistan, emphasizing that the country's annual population growth of more than one million people creates a steady demand for food, industrial products, and modern goods.

"Uzbekistan is primarily the center of Central Asia. It is a country rich in its resources. The main feature of Uzbekistan is its demographics: the population increases by approximately one million people every year. We must be able to benefit from this rapid development," stated the head of the Grodno region.

According to him, one of the most promising areas for cooperation is the furniture industry. Belarus possesses the necessary raw material base and production capacities, while Uzbekistan represents a fast-growing market with high purchasing power.

During the meeting, the prospects for interaction in the agro-industrial complex were also discussed. Yuri Karayev noted that the Grodno region possesses significant agricultural resources and a high level of land-use efficiency.

"A large population requires a large amount of products. We have a lot of land that we cultivate on our own. The lands are all well-kept and beautiful. Not a single plot is abandoned, while significant reserves remain for further development," he emphasized.

Additionally, the parties touched upon the issue of labor migration. The chairman of the regional executive committee stated that the Belarusian side is ready to accept a limited number of Uzbek citizens to work at agricultural enterprises.

"We are ready to accept a small number of hardworking people who want to earn money. At the same time, we are not going to overburden the region and the population with migrants. In our country, this process is under strict state control," Yuri Karayev noted.

The meeting took place within the framework of developing interregional cooperation between Belarus and Uzbekistan and was part of a program of contacts aimed at expanding economic ties between the regions of the two countries.