Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 22-23 November 2019, the First International Investment Forum “Invest in Samarkand” was held in Samarkand and the National Exhibition of Regional Manufacturers “Made in Samarkand” was organized, organized by the Khokimiyat of the Samarkand Region with the assistance of the Ministry investments and foreign trade of Uzbekistan.

The event is aimed at further increasing the economic potential of the Samarkand region, attracting foreign direct investment, familiarizing investors with the conditions and opportunities, as well as increasing the export potential of the region.

The event was attended by more than 310 representatives from 31 countries, including China, South Korea, Spain, the USA, Italy, Israel, Russia, Japan, India, Turkey, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and others.

The President (Governor) of the Italian region Lombardy Attilio Fontana took part in the Forum as an honored guest.

On the first day of the forum, guests got acquainted with the activities of a number of large enterprises in the Samarkand region, such as Pure Milky (dairy production), Agro Mir (production of juices, nectars and juice concentrates), SAG Gilamlari (production of carpets and rugs) ) and “Afrosiyob jeans” (production of textiles and finished woven products). During the cultural program, guests visited the historical and architectural sights of Samarkand. At the end of the first day on the Registan Square, the guests were shown a historical film in the format of 3D-mapping laser show.

On the second day, the guests of the Forum visited the National exhibition of manufacturers of industrial goods and agricultural products of the Samarkand region "Made in Samarkand", got acquainted with product samples, held negotiations with manufacturers to establish export of products.

The main part of the Forum was addressed by the Khokim of the Samarkand region Erkinjon Turdimov, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov, First Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islom Jasimov, heads of foreign delegations, representatives of international financial institutions and organizations, as well as foreign investors engaged in its activities in the Samarkand region.

The second part of the Forum was held in the form of sectional plenary sessions at which issues such as “Investment opportunities and the attractiveness of the region for investment” were discussed; “Transformation of the tourism industry into a strategic sector of the region’s economy”; “Potential and development prospects of the construction industry in the region”; “Increasing the export potential of the region”; "Localization of production, import substitution and intensive development of agricultural processing."

In the afternoon, direct meetings were held with potential foreign investors in the B2B and B2G formats, as well as G2G and the presentation of new investment projects.

With the direct support and assistance of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Spain, during the Forum, an agreement was signed on cooperation between the Samarkand Regional khokimiyat and the Spanish Royal Football Club "Real Madrid" on the opening of the Real Madrid Football Academy in the region.

In addition, within the framework of the Forum, large foreign investors presented the projects “Construction and operation of a new international airport in the Samarkand region”, “Amusement park with many attractions and a large-format movie theater“ Aimex ”(IMAX),“ Plant for the production of buses and other special equipment with electric motors ”,“ IT-park ”,“ City ”, Business centers, Tourist complexes and many other projects aimed at the production of import-substituting and export-oriented products, as well as about Assortments in socio-humanitarian spheres.

Following the Forum, 146 agreements were signed for a total of US$1.3 billion, including 52 investment agreements for a total of US$1.0 billion and 94 export contracts worth US$300 million.