Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Sweden has expressed a strong interest in attracting labor migrants from Uzbekistan, according to the press service of the Agency for External Labor Migration, following a meeting between the agency’s director Behzod Musaev and Sweden’s Minister for Migration Johan Forssell.

During the talks, both sides discussed measures to prevent illegal migration and the development of transparent mechanisms for organized labor mobility. It was noted that Sweden, facing demographic challenges, is experiencing a labor shortage in key sectors such as transportation, construction, industry, healthcare, education, and services.

The parties agreed that Uzbekistan has the necessary human resources and capabilities to train qualified professionals who can help fill gaps in the Swedish labor market.

An initiative was proposed to create a centralized digital platform to facilitate effective cooperation between the two countries in the field of labor migration. Additionally, the launch of pilot projects was discussed to provide professional training for Uzbek specialists in fields such as construction, logistics, and medical services, based on the needs of Swedish employers.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a joint declaration on cooperation in migration and labor policy was signed. The document aims to strengthen mechanisms to combat illegal migration, enhance information exchange, and improve consular support.

Swedish Minister for Migration Johan Forssell described the declaration as historic, emphasizing that it marks a significant step toward elevating Uzbek-Swedish relations to a new level.