Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov received the Chairman of Sughd Region of the Republic of Tajikistan Rajabboy Ahmadzod.

The parties discussed the development of multifaceted Uzbek-Tajik cooperation. In particular, the issues of interregional interaction and partnership in the field of agriculture were considered.

It was noted that following a high-level visit to Tajikistan in June of this year, the administrations of the regions of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan reached agreements on the implementation of 30 joint projects worth about US$100 million and signed over 250 trade contracts worth more than US$300 million.

The parties expressed their commitment to active interaction on the implementation and promotion of agreed projects, while voicing their readiness for further joint work to expand investment, trade and economic cooperation between the regions of the two states.

The parties noted their mutual readiness to expand the portfolio of investment projects in the agro-industrial sector. The parties discussed specific investment proposals and outlined further actions for their development and implementation.

Prospects for deepening cooperation in the field of agriculture were considered: a significant potential was noted for increasing mutual supplies of fruits and vegetables and agricultural crops. Highlighted the wide opportunities for the implementation of joint projects to create modern greenhouses with a drip irrigation system and intensive gardens using elite varieties of fruits and vegetables.

During the dialogue, the head of the Tajik delegation noted a high interest in the introduction in Tajikistan of the Uzbek experience in the development of the textile industry on the basis of a cluster approach. They expressed their readiness to establish direct cooperation with leading Uzbek textile manufacturers, meaning the creation of joint high-tech industries.

Special attention was paid to cooperation in the silkworm and leather and footwear industries: the parties agreed to develop specific proposals for organizing silk processing and leather and footwear production in the Sughd region of Tajikistan in the near future with the participation of entrepreneurs from Tashkent region of Uzbekistan.

The importance of establishing direct interaction between educational and scientific institutions of the agricultural sector of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in order to carry out mutual exchange and implementation of scientific developments in the fields of seed growing, cotton growing, animal husbandry, viticulture and other spheres was emphasized.

Following the meeting, the parties outlined further steps to advance the discussed areas of cooperation. In the near future, as new investment projects are worked out and agreed upon, an appropriate "Roadmap" for their implementation will be developed.