Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Japan is interested in further strengthening the multifaceted economic cooperation with Uzbekistan.

This remark was made by Japanese Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso at a meeting with Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

The meeting discussed the issues of further development of cooperation in the energy sector, mining, oil and gas, chemical and electrical industries, car production and telecommunications.

The parties also exchanged views on regional and international issues.

Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Japan were established in January 1992.

The trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $215 million in 2013. The funds provided by Japan to Uzbekistan amounts to $2.32 billion.

Japan is one of Uzbekistan's key economic partners. Some 11 joint Uzbek-Japanese companies have been established and some 14 offices of Japanese companies are accredited in Uzbekistan.

Thanks to Japan's financial and technical assistance, a number of socially significant and infrastructure projects in the health, education, energy, transport, telecommunications and other sectors are being implemented in Uzbekistan.

Particularly, projects on the construction of a compressor station at the Kokdumalak field and Bukhara refinery, reconstruction of Ferghana refinery, modernization of airports in Samarqand, Bukhara and Urgench have been implemented with participation of Japanese investment.

Currently, the implementation of the projects on electrification of the Karshi-Termez railway line, the expansion of Navoi thermal power plant and modernization of Talimarjan thermal power plant are underway.

Also, the representative offices of large Japanese corporations such as Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Itochu and Marubeni operate in Uzbekistan.