Uzbekistan-China forum presents 95 projects worth US$10 billion

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Uzbekistan (Surkhandarya)-China international investment forum, held in Surkhandarya region on 15-16 August, presented investors with 95 prospective projects worth a total of US$10 billion. Preliminary agreements were reached on 63 projects worth more than US$6.25 billion.

The forum brought together representatives of government agencies from Uzbekistan and China, major Chinese companies, international and sectoral organizations, local authorities and business communities. More than 350 representatives from over 120 Chinese companies and organizations took part in the event.

Participants included representatives of the China Center for International Cultural Relations, JDB Group, China Railway Construction, Xinlong Construction Engineering Group, Jiangsu World Agricultural and Anhui Wende Holding Group.

An Afghan delegation led by Industry and Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi also attended the forum. More than 100 representatives of 46 Afghan companies took part in the event.

The investment portfolio of Surkhandarya region includes projects across several key sectors. Agriculture accounts for 25 projects, mining and geology for 24, services for 13, chemicals for six, construction materials for three and textiles for two projects. Another 22 projects cover other areas of industry.

During the forum, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Mining and Geology, the Tourism Committee, Uzpromstroy materials association and the Termez International Trade Center presented investors with cooperation opportunities and proposals in their respective sectors.

Particular attention was given to G2B and B2B negotiations involving businesses from China and Afghanistan, heads of cities and districts in Surkhandarya region and local entrepreneurs.

Preliminary investment agreements were reached on 63 projects worth US$6.2535 billion. The largest areas were construction materials, with 11 projects worth US$1.225 billion; textile and garment manufacturing, with eight projects worth US$1.1815 billion; and mining, with 10 projects worth US$1.027 billion.

Another 13 preliminary agreements worth US$1.015 billion covered services, including tourism, education, construction and trade.

The agreements also cover agricultural production, the oil and gas and chemical industries, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, livestock farming, medicinal plant cultivation and fish farming.

On 15 August, the Made in Uzbekistan exhibition was held at the Airitom Free Trade Zone. It showcased the capabilities of local enterprises in agriculture and food processing, the chemical and light industries, construction materials, mining and geology, jewelry manufacturing and other sectors.

Participants were also presented with Surkhandarya region’s investment potential, including its natural resources, industrial and agricultural potential, logistics capabilities, tourism sector and projects involving foreign partners.

On 16 August, representatives of Chinese companies visited major production enterprises in districts across the region. During the visits, investors reviewed existing production facilities, infrastructure, prospective sites and investment projects.

Uzbekistan Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev said the next stage should be the practical implementation of the agreements reached. He said it was important to move from investment dialogue to the implementation of specific projects, the creation of new production capacity and jobs.

The forum provided a platform for further expanding investment and trade and economic cooperation between Surkhandarya region, China and Afghanistan, as well as for presenting foreign businesses with specific projects and the region’s production capabilities.