Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 20 January, in Astana, Director of the International Institute of Central Asia (MICA) Vladimir Norov took part in the expert meeting "Central Asia - 2030: Images of the Future" and made a report at it.

In his speech, the director of MICA noted that during the meeting, topical issues of the development of Central Asia were discussed, the solution of which will form the strategic prospects of the region for many years to come.

Vladimir Norov emphasized that the political will and joint efforts of the leaders of the Central Asian countries contributed to the consolidation of efforts on the path to the joint development and prosperity of the region.

“We have begun to strengthen the regional subjectivity of Central Asia in global politics. Today, all over the world, the voice of Central Asia sounds louder: we are heard and listened to. In fact, today we are creating our common future.

Today, the Central Asian region is becoming a vast area of partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation.

The mechanism of the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia laid down a fundamentally new paradigm of interstate relations in the region, created the basis for strengthening unity, allowing the return of the former power of Central Asia,” said the director of MICA.

According to the director, a stable Central Asia is becoming one of the important centers of economic growth. The last 6-7 years have become a breakthrough period of joint implementation of large investment cooperation projects in the field of industry, transport, energy and infrastructure. Joint investment companies have been created, and interregional ties are actively developing. There has never been such a dynamic before.

The total GDP of the countries of the region today is more than 347 billion dollars, having increased in recent years by more than 25%, and over the past 20 years - more than seven times.

In addition, the head of MICA cited the words of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who has repeatedly noted that "today’s realities require us to take decisive steps to form a new model of economic cooperation in Central Asia."

In his speech, Vladimir Norov focused on the initiatives of the Head of Uzbekistan aimed at the development of the region, primarily related to the need for a radical increase in the volume of mutual trade, the development of investment cooperation and industrial cooperation, the speedy implementation of joint projects to create a modern energy infrastructure, increase transport and transit potential of the region and a number of other important areas of cooperation.

It was noted that a free trade regime has been established between the countries of Central Asia. It is regulated by both bilateral Agreements and agreements in a multilateral format.

In addition, the director noted the importance of the speedy implementation of industrial cooperation projects, and on their basis the creation of long value chains.

At the same time, attention was drawn to the need to develop common approaches to the formation of the Central Asian space of industrial localization and import substitution.

Vladimir Norov dwelt on one more important direction of cooperation, which is gaining momentum, as the creation of zones of border industrial cooperation and trade. In his opinion, they seriously stimulate the development of interregional ties, will contribute to the creation of new industries and, accordingly, new jobs.

Another area of regional cooperation is the pooling of efforts and resources to attract foreign investment.

Vladimir Norov noted that in the field of investment, it is necessary to create a single favorable business climate to increase the overall regional investment attractiveness, as well as to consider the possibility of creating an Investment Fund for Central Asia to finance regional projects, taking into account common interests.

According to the speaker, over the next 10 years, the Central Asian region can potentially attract up to US$170 billion in foreign investment, including US$40-70 billion in non-primary sectors.

Along with this, the director of MICA noted the importance of building up cooperation in the field of tourism, which can become an effective factor in the development of the economies of our countries.

He stressed the need to consolidate efforts to create a mechanism for the development of intra-regional tourism, the development and implementation of the joint program "One Tour - One Region".

At the same time, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are already actively working on the introduction of the so-called "Asian Schengen" - the Silk Road Visa project, in which Kyrgyz and Tajik travel companies are actively showing interest.