Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 14 September, the Center for Economic Research and Reforms under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (CERR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of Economics and Demography of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan (IED). This was reported by the Public Relations Service of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms.

The agreement to sign the Memorandum was reached on the sidelines of the scientific-practical conference "The contribution of the leaders of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to strengthening friendship, good neighborliness and trust, opening a new page of the Tajik-Uzbek strategic partnership", which is taking place these days in the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe.

In his speech at the conference, CERR Director Obid Khakimov noted that over the past three years the trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan has grown by almost 2.5 times, and in 7 months of this year, despite the coronavirus pandemic, it has not decreased, but on the contrary increased by almost 8 %. The Republic of Tajikistan is an important and promising trade and economic partner, and Uzbekistan is interested in further development of multifaceted and mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation with it.

“Industrial cooperation is another important area of cooperation, the potential of which must be realized. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, as neighboring countries, have great opportunities for the implementation of joint projects on industrial cooperation in various sectors of the economy,” the CERR director emphasized.

In particular, on the example of the creation of the JV “Artel Avesto Electronics” in Tajikistan, the need to create joint production and cooperation ties was noted in other industries - automotive, textile, pharmaceutical, as well as the production of building materials.

In addition, it was emphasized that Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are major agricultural producers. In this regard, the creation of joint ventures for processing fruits and vegetables into finished products with added value for export to third countries may have good prospects.

“Expansion of cooperative ties between enterprises and the creation of joint ventures in the presence of large volumes of raw materials, for example, agricultural products, will increase the competitiveness of manufactured products by attracting modern technologies, narrow specialization and economies of scale,” stated O. Khakimov.

In his speech, the director of CERR touched upon the state and prospects of economic ties. He noted that the first results of the new stage of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan confirm the mutual disposition to search for new forms and directions of further trade, economic and investment cooperation, which will contribute to improving the well-being of the peoples of our countries.

During the first day of the conference, CERR and IED signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

The purpose of signing the Memorandum is to provide a basis for further joint cooperation between IED and CERR in the field of scientific research and analysis in the framework of joint efforts to support the processes of economic reform and ensure sustainable economic growth in the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Tajikistan.

Areas of cooperation include joint research and analysis, the organization of seminars, symposia, workshops and other scientific meetings, the work of specialists in the implementation of mutually beneficial projects.

Representatives of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan agreed to meet regularly and, as necessary, discuss topics of future cooperation, consider the status of current joint projects, jointly make decisions on holding seminars, other events, and further cooperation on issues of mutual interest.