Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Governor of Tuscany Discuss New Collaborative Projects

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received an Italian delegation on 14 July 2026, led by the Governor of the Tuscany Region, Eugenio Giani, who is in the country on a working visit. The parties discussed the further development of the Uzbek-Italian strategic partnership, placing particular focus on trade, economic, investment, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation, as well as the expansion of interregional ties.

During the meeting, it was noted that bilateral contacts at various levels are becoming more intensive, while key interaction indicators continue to grow. According to data presented during the talks, the volume of mutual trade has increased by 25 percent since the beginning of 2026. Joint projects involving leading Italian companies are also being implemented in Uzbekistan across metallurgy, energy, agriculture, the chemical industry, and other sectors.

The President emphasized the deep, centuries-old historical and cultural ties connecting Uzbekistan and Tuscany. It was noted that during the era of the Great Silk Road, active trade flourished between Florence and the ancient cities of Uzbekistan, with Florentine merchants and diplomats famously visiting the court of Amir Temur (Tamerlane).

As examples of modern-day cooperation, the sides highlighted the activities of the University of Pisa branch in Tashkent, which is graduating its first cohort of students this year, the operations of the Uzbek Textile Products Trade House in the Italian city of Prato, and the exhibition of Uzbek avant-garde art masterpieces held in 2024 at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

The parties pointed out significant untapped potential for cooperation in the textile, leather, food, jewelry, and construction industries, as well as in education, culture, and tourism. The implementation of partner relations between Tuscany and the Bukhara Region, including the signing of a corresponding cooperation agreement, was highly praised.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to prepare and adopt a joint roadmap outlining the launch of new projects and initiatives to foster closer cooperation between the Tuscany Region and various regions of Uzbekistan.