Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has proposed establishing a Platform for Financial and Technical Support for Joint Investment Projects of Central Asian Countries and holding the Central Asia-Azerbaijan Business Forum in Khiva in 2027. The initiatives were put forward by the head of state at the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in Avaza, the press service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan said.
Mirziyoyev proposed assigning the issue of establishing the platform to the Council of Ministers of Trade and Investment. The issue is to be considered in detail at the council's next meeting in Ashgabat.
The president noted that implementing major initiatives requires not only financial resources but also high-quality project preparation, expertise, clear financial instruments and subsequent support.
According to Mirziyoyev, economic cooperation among the countries of the region needs to be taken to a new level. The states have already been tasked with increasing mutual trade and investment, but it is now important to identify specific mechanisms for achieving these goals.
The head of state identified the creation of joint industrial and technological chains, the development of shared digital services and the establishment of investment mechanisms to accelerate the launch of major projects as key areas.
“We have already reached the point where ordinary mutual trade is not enough. We need to create the final product together,” Mirziyoyev said.
According to him, this approach is reflected in the formula “six economies — one product”. The participation of enterprises from several countries in a single production chain makes it possible to build closer economic ties than through traditional trade in goods.
The president also gave an important role to the Comprehensive Regional Programme for Trade and Economic Cooperation through 2035 in the further development of cooperation. It should become a practical tool for more effectively using the region's shared geographic space.
To achieve this, Mirziyoyev said, it is necessary to consistently remove trade barriers, expand industrial cooperation and increase the number of joint projects.
The Consultative Meeting in Avaza was held for the first time with the participation of Azerbaijan. The chairmanship of the format passed from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan.
