Uzbekistan, Poland to expand economic cooperation
17/11/2013 12:15
Uzbekistan, Poland to expand economic cooperation
17/11/2013 12:15
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The sixth session of the Polish-Uzbek intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation was held in Tashkent on 14 November 2013, the Department for assisting trade and investment of Embassy of Poland said.
The delegation of Poland was led by the Deputy Minister of Economy Andzrej Dych, while the Uzbek delegation was headed by the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment Trade of Uzbekistan Akmal Kamolov.
The business circles of Uzbekistan and Poland participated at the work of the inter-governmental commission.
The sides were informed about current state and perspectives of economic development of Poland and Uzbekistan.
Polish side underlined that it is expected that Poland’s GDP will grow by 1.5%in 2013 and the volume of foreign direct investments exceeds US$175 billion euros. There are 63,000 enterprises with foreign capital in Poland.
The commission considered key issues of expanding of bilateral of Poland-Uzbek trade, economic, financial and technical cooperation in various areas.
According to the Polish data, the mutual trade between two nations made up US$151.2 million in 2012, of which US$119.8 million fell to exports of Poland and US$31.4 million to imports. In January-August 2013, trade turnover between two states made up US$112.2 million, which grew by 25% year-on-year. At the same time, the exports rose by 38%.
At the same time, it was underlined that current level of trade turnover did not meet potential and opportunities of two states. The sides noted that it is necessary to increase and diversify supply of goods and services.
Uzbekistan and Poland said that the sides should expand direct contacts among business entities and entrepreneurs of two states, provide information to business circles on export potentials. The sides called to increase participation of businesses in such events as exhibitions, fairs, business forums, seminars, roundtables, conferences, etc.
The sides also underlined importance of cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of two states. The sides welcomed the signing of agreement on cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and Polish agency for development of entrepreneurship in spring 2013 and expressed interest in further developing of partnership relations, exchange experience on supporting small and medium businesses.
The sides are planning to expand information exchange, joint work on organization of study tours for business circles, cooperation exchanges, economic missions, etc. Polish agency for development of entrepreneurship invited the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and small businesses to participate in the European Congress of small and medium enterprises, which will be held in Katowice (Poland) in September 2014.
It is also planned to organize seminars and meetings “Days of open doors” in the regions of Uzbekistan, which is organized by the Department for assisting trade and investment of Embassy of Poland in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan.
It is also planned to organize visit of the representatives of special zones of Uzbekistan to Poland to familiarize with experience of special zones in Poland. It is also planned to organize the visit of Polish businesses to Navoi free industrial and economic zone to familiarize with created conditions for foreign businesses.
The sides underlined fruitful development of cooperation in recent years between several structures of Uzbekistan and Poland. It was noted that Cotton Chamber in Gdynia and Sifat Center. It was said that Polish side participated at International Uzbek Cotton and Textile Fair in October 2013 and signed agreements for over US$11 million.
Uzbekistan and Poland are cooperating within the agreement on international automobile communication (from 10 July 2003) as the mutual automobile transportation between two states has been growing.
Within the mutual contacts between Main department of construction supervision of Poland and the State Committee on architecture and construction of Uzbekistan, the sides are preparing to sign a memorandum, which will create legal framework for cooperation in this area.
The phytosanitary bodies of two nations are completing work on drafting agreement on economic cooperation, which will expand legal base for economic cooperation.
The commission also considered perspective directions of cooperation. The sides discussed cooperation in such key spheres of economy such as chemistry, food, pharmaceuticals, textile industry, agriculture, processing of agriculture products, etc.
Polish side noted that it can share its experience in introduction of green technologies, protection of environment, use of renewable energy. It was offered to create a working group to determine the most perspective spheres of cooperation and joint projects.
Polish firms presented a package of their proposals and projects, which they would realize in cooperation with the Uzbek partners in various areas.
Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (Bank of National Economy of Poland, BGK) offered to use opportunities of Polish governmental programme “Financial support of exports” to provide loan to Uzbek businesses or banks to purchase Polish goods and services. Currently, two banks of Uzbekistan – Agrobank and Halq Bank – joined the programme.
At the same time, within development of bilateral financial cooperation, the sides are continuing work on launch of new preferential credit line of the Government of Poland.
Giving special attention of economic importance of cooperation in tourism, the sides agreed to expand mutual contacts in this area both at the governmental level and at the level of chambers, uniting businesses in tourism sector. It is planned to develop a joint programme of technical assistance, which will include measures on training tourism specialists and specialists on restoring monuments.
The Polish side expressed interest in implementation of projects on construction of new and reconstruction of existing hotels, restaurants, motels and camping, creation of transport companies to serve tourists, as well as programme on tourism development in Uzbekistan.
The commission considered other issues of economic cooperation of mutual interest.
The sides agreed to support working contacts and on mechanism of control over execution of the reached agreement.
The sides agreed to hold next session of the Polish-Uzbek intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation in Poland in 2014.
Within the commission, the Uzbek-Polish business forum and cooperation exchange, as well as bilateral negotiations between business circles of two states were held.
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