Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A videoconference was held with the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov and the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Finance of Japan Taro Aso.

On the agenda of the discussion were current issues of investment and trade-economic cooperation and its prospects in the light of bilateral agreements reached as a result of the summit visit to Japan in December 2019. The priority of continuing systematic work to implement common initiatives and projects in the current economic situation in the world was emphasized.

Actual issues related to the implementation of individual projects in the field of agriculture, chemical and energy industries were substantively examined. The mechanisms of interagency cooperation are considered to accelerate the passage of the prescribed procedures in the framework of already launched projects with the development of specific measures and proposals.

The prospects of providing the Government of Japan with financial support to Uzbekistan as part of counteracting the spread of coronavirus infection and eliminating the economic consequences of the pandemic, as well as attracting additional funds from Japanese financial institutions to implement further steps in joint investment projects, were separately discussed.

The Government of Japan was thanked for the humanitarian assistance previously provided in the form of test systems and antiviral drugs. Moreover, in the near future, the prospect of attracting grant funds from Japan will be worked out with the aim of channeling them to equipping medical institutions in Uzbekistan with the necessary equipment ¾ mechanical ventilation apparatus and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

An agreement was reached on further cooperation on the implementation of large-scale investment projects in Uzbekistan with the participation of Japanese investments aimed at improving the infrastructure and building up industrial potential.

Work in these areas will continue actively in the form of video conferencing both at the level of heads of ministries and departments, and through communication of experts and specialists of the two countries.