Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A round table was held in Tashkent on the theme “Uzbekistan - Japan Opportunities for Enhancing Cooperation in the Age of IV Industrial Revolution”, organized by the Institute of Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan together with the Center for Development Strategies.

The event was attended by representatives of IACMO, CSR, the Center for Economic Research and Reforms under the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Center for Research Initiatives “Mano”.

The event discussed the results of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Japan in December 2019, as well as the prospects for further development of strategic partnership.

Experts positively assessed the dynamics of relations between Uzbekistan and Japan, which are acquiring a systemic, multifaceted character, developing in the spirit of mutual respect and taking into account each other's interests. The visit of the leader of Uzbekistan to the Land of the Rising Sun opened a new chapter in the history of relations, was an important step on the road to further development of cooperation in trade, economic, investment, innovation, scientific and educational fields.

It was emphasized that Tashkent’s practical steps to strengthen relations with Tokyo were designed, firstly, to strengthen trade and economic relations with traditional partners, and secondly, to attract investment in the economy and expand markets for its own products.

The infusion of Japanese investments in the amount of US$6 billion into such important sectors of the economy of Uzbekistan as exploration, medicine, housing and communal services, the automotive industry and others will give a powerful impetus to the country's economic growth.

According to experts, the total volume of agreements signed following the visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Japan will enable Japanese capital to gain a foothold in such an important country in Central Asia.

It is symbolic that trade between countries is growing along an increasing trajectory. The volume of mutual trade over the past year has grown 4 times, reaching US$700 million. According to expert forecasts, the accession of Uzbekistan to the WTO and other international organizations in the future will achieve breakthrough results in trade with other countries in Japan.

The importance and timeliness of reaching an agreement between Uzbekistan and Japan on the creation of the Nagoya High-Tech Park in Tashkent and the Uzbek-Japanese youth innovation center was especially noted. These structures will become a solid platform for ensuring the technological development of key areas of the economy, laying the foundation for the training of young, promising personnel.

According to the estimates of the leading researcher at the Information and Analytical Center for International Relations, Murod Uzokov, the measures taken by Japan to develop the potential of personnel in key sectors of the economy of Uzbekistan contribute to the improvement of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). It was noted that in 2019 JICA expanded the training program for managers of small and medium-sized businesses.

In the future, the Japanese side intends to open a “School of Management” in Tashkent to conduct intensive training courses for SME leaders (under programs tested in ASEAN countries), as well as expand the human resources development program for tourism and agricultural processing in the regions.