Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - Within the framework of the Uzbek-American business forum, held on 21-22 October 2019, the Uzbek delegation consisting of the First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis Sadyk Safayev, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Sardor Umurzakov, Director of the Agency for the Development of the Capital Market Atabek Nazirov, Deputy Minister of Energy Umidzhon Israilov, Chairman of the Uztekstilprom Association Ilkhom Khaidarov, acting Fakhriddin Boboev, Chairman of the Uzcharmsanoat Association, and Ravshan Saliev, Head of the Uzeltehsanoat Association Department, met with representatives of leading US companies.

At a meeting with the vice president of CNH Industrial, Steve Naderni, they discussed the implementation of projects for the production of cotton picking machines and agricultural machinery in Uzbekistan. It was noted that a trial batch of 45 units of vehicles was delivered to Tashkent, Syrdarya, Jizzakh, Navoi and Kashkadarya regions.

Today, the main components for cotton picking are supplied from the USA, the EU and India, and by 2021 they plan to launch their production in our country. In addition, the company provides training to operators and engineers providing maintenance services.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached on the development of a Roadmap for cooperation to increase production and introduce CNH Industrial technologies in Uzbekistan.

Dirk Strathman, Vice President of John Deere, along with the supply of agricultural machinery, expressed interest in collaborating on the development of the cotton cluster. It was emphasized that the company would like to establish a long-term partnership and conclude an appropriate agreement with the Uzbek side.

A meeting was also held with the vice president of the American diversified corporation General Electric James Suchiom, who confirmed his readiness to develop long-term and full-scale cooperation with enterprises and organizations of Uzbekistan.

In May 2018, a Memorandum was signed between the Ministry of Health and General Electric on the development of a state oncological program for mammography, localization of ultrasound and X-ray machines, as well as the creation of a training center, and in May this year its grand opening was held.

Salvador Perez-Galindo, Vice-President of the VISA International Payment System, highly appreciating the large-scale reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan, noted that this trend gives a great impetus to increasing the investment and tourist attractiveness of the republic throughout the world.

Salvador Perez-Galindo said that in the framework of the Memorandum signed in May 2019 between VISA and the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, the company is ready to implement joint programs to create a digital payment infrastructure in our country, expand the electronic payment acceptance network, and develop regulatory acts, aimed at the development of digital payments.

According to the company, at present, the acceptance of Visa payment cards in a network of terminals in Uzbekistan is significantly limited. The annual turnover on Visa payment cards in Uzbekistan is only $ 80 million. It is estimated that if Visa payment cards are accepted throughout the country's network of terminals, the annual turnover may exceed US$3 billion.

During the meeting, Zeppelin International AG Director General Frank Janes noted that the company has been operating in the market of Uzbekistan for more than 19 years and every year brings the latest trends and innovative developments. The company strives to set standards for use in industrial technology, after-sales service and technical support. A number of Caterpillar projects are already being implemented, mainly in Navoi and Almalyk mining and metallurgical plants.

As the regional sales director of GOMACO Valery Nosenko noted, GOMACO has been a world leader for 50 years in concrete laying technology. It specializes in the construction of expressways, airport runways, irrigation canals, curbs and gutters, as well as the production of concrete-laying machines and equipment.

According to V. Nosenko, the company is interested in participating in projects for the construction of runways at regional airports in Uzbekistan, in particular in Termez.

In negotiations with ExxonMobil’s Senior Foreign Relations Advisor, Beth Jones confirmed the American side’s readiness for further cooperation with Uzbekistan in studying the geological materials of investment blocks in the country.

In general, as the negotiations showed, the agreements reached in 2017-2018 in the framework of top-level visits to New York and Washington are consistently implemented. In addition, the parties outlined new plans to expand cooperation in the trade and investment sectors.