Uzbekistan, Georgia consider development of trade-economic relations

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Deputy Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan Badriddin Abidov met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Alexander Xvtisiashvili.

In the framework of the 11th round of political consultations between the foreign affairs agencies of two countries, Uzbek-Georgian negotiations were held on topical issues of the current state and prospects for the development of bilateral trade, economic, investment and tourism cooperation.

During the conversation, the sides noted that the year 2018 was not marked by an increase in commodity turnover between the countries, a decrease in exports is observed, in particular, due to a reduction in the supply of cotton fiber.

At the same time, it was emphasized that a high exceptional potential for mutually beneficial cooperation, including the development of mediation trade with the participation of Georgia, and a number of developed countries in the free trade zone (China, Hong Kong, Turkey, CIS countries).

“Currently, Georgia is actively building and reconstructing the transport infrastructure: airports, roads. The project to build the first deep-water port will open the way for large ships, which today stop and unload in neighboring countries, - noted by Alexander Xvtisiashvili, - At the same time, the hub port can open wide transit possibilities for cargo delivery to Europe and Asian countries”.

The Georgian side emphasized that it is watching with interest the large-scale socio-economic reforms carried out in Uzbekistan and is ready to share its share on the implementation of economic reform reforms, including accession to the World Trade Organization.

In turn, the Uzbek side informed about the transition to a cluster system of agricultural development and invited the Georgian side to actively participate in the implementation of new projects in a similar format in Uzbekistan in the fields of winemaking, cotton growing, gardening.

The agenda also discussed the prospects for further development of cooperation in agriculture, tourism, hydropower, transport, light industry, and pharmaceuticals through attracting foreign direct investment, and therefore it was proposed to organize a business forum with the participation of textile and garment-knitting enterprises Uzbekistan and Georgia, as well as to organize the participation of Uzbek representatives in the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum in October this year.