Uzbekistan, U.S. sign agreements worth $2.6 billion
By Kamila Aliyeva
New York hosted an Uzbek-American business forum on September 20, following which the sides signed a package of documents worth $2.6 billion.
The event was held within the framework of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to the U.S. in order to participate in the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.
More than 100 executives from leading U.S. companies, including Boeing, Coca-Cola, Visa and General Electric, took part in the business forum, , the Uzbek government's press service reported.
The participants of the business forum discussed specific investment and trade projects of mutual interest and agreed on joint activities for their practical implementation.
As a result of the forum, the parties signed a package of documents for a total of $2.6 billion, providing for the implementation of projects in the oil and gas, petrochemical, engineering, electrical and civil areas.
An agreement was also signed for the opening of the first branch of the American University in the CIS countries in Tashkent.
The delegation of the Uzbek State Committee for Tourism also held a meeting with the American companies Skal International and Primapact in New York. The sides discussed the practical aspects of bilateral cooperation.
In particular, an agreement was reached to consider the feasibility of conducting relevant research by companies, including in marketing sphere, for further development of the tourism industry in Uzbekistan.
Moreover, Primapact will develop specific recommendations and proposals to increase the flow of tourists from the U.S. to Uzbekistan.
The sides expressed mutual intentions to make the necessary efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation.
The United States established diplomatic relations with Uzbekistan in 1992 following its independence from the Soviet Union. Since then, the United States and Uzbekistan have developed a broad-based relationship, cooperating in such areas as border and regional security programs, economic relations, political and civil society issues, and English language training.
Uzbekistan's economy was historically based primarily on agriculture and natural resource extraction. While the country remains a major producer of energy and minerals, with uranium one of Uzbekistan's largest exports to the United States, manufacturing has grown in recent years and now accounts for approximately one quarter of GDP, surpassing agriculture.
Uzbekistan has signed a trade and investment framework agreement with the United States and other Central Asian countries establishing a regional forum to discuss ways to improve investment climates and expand trade within Central Asia.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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