Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 14 October, at an expanded meeting of the Senate Committee on International Relations, Foreign Economic Relations, Foreign Investments and Tourism, reports of the ambassadors of Uzbekistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, Kuwait and Israel were heard.

The meeting was attended by senators, deputies of local Kengashes of people’s deputies, heads of relevant ministries and departments, state companies, representatives of local executive authorities and the media.

The heads of diplomatic missions of Uzbekistan presented reports on the work done aimed at developing bilateral relations with foreign countries, including the implementation of specific projects aimed at attracting direct investment, expanding exports and increasing tourist flow to the regions of the republic.

During the open and substantive discussion that took place, the entire range of issues and priority tasks of diplomatic missions was considered, a critical assessment of their activities was given, and systemic shortcomings in promoting the economic interests of the republic abroad were indicated.

Separately, attention was focused on the problems in the implementation of investment projects initiated by embassies in the regions of the country. The senators noted the certain work carried out by the embassies in the areas of political, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. At the same time, the lack of practical results in the work of the heads of diplomatic missions in the direction of economic diplomacy was criticized. Thus, the unsatisfactory work of these embassies for the regions of the country assigned to them was noted. In particular, none of those initiated by embassies in Israel (Bukhara region), in Kuwait (Jizzakh region), in Saudi Arabia (Surkhandarya region) is currently being implemented.

In addition, the lack of systematic and effective work in the field of development of interregional cooperation, as well as the establishment of sister city relations between the cities of the partner countries, is indicated.

The senators also expressed concern over the low results in promoting the national tourism product and handicraft products abroad. In particular, in the first half of 2022, only 446 tourists from Saudi Arabia, 98 tourists from Oman, 2679 from Israel and only 235 from Kuwait came to Uzbekistan, which absolutely does not correspond to the existing potential.

At the same time, the parliamentarians expressed their critical remarks regarding the low efficiency and poor feedback provided by sectoral departments and companies, as well as regional khokimiyats in considering proposals and appeals from the diplomatic missions of the republic in the course of implementing investment projects and organizing bilateral meetings. The obligation of appropriate coordination of actions with the embassies of Uzbekistan was noted.

During the meeting, the senators emphasized the need to maximize the use of all opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the field of oil and gas production, petrochemistry, agrobiotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medicine.

The heads of the diplomatic missions of Uzbekistan were given detailed recommendations and specific tasks were set to increase the effectiveness of their activities. Following the meeting, a corresponding decision was made by the Committee of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis.