President of Uzbekistan discusses expanding cooperation with the United Kingdom

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev received UK Minister of State for Trade Lord Anas Sarwar on October 9. The British official arrived in Uzbekistan to participate in the second meeting of the Uzbek-British Economic Committee.

At the beginning of the meeting, Lord Sarwar conveyed sincere greetings and a special message from UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to the President of Uzbekistan.

The sides discussed the further expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation, primarily in the trade and economic sphere.

They expressed satisfaction with the dynamic development of political dialogue and active exchanges at various levels. Effective cooperation has also been established in the field of security.

Bilateral trade is growing steadily, and 260 joint ventures are successfully operating in Uzbekistan.

The first IPO of the National Investment Fund of Uzbekistan was successfully conducted on the London Stock Exchange. Standard Chartered Bank is active in the financial sector, while British Petroleum is involved in the oil and gas industry.

Three joint universities have been established, and Presidential Schools have been launched in partnership with the University of Cambridge. The number of British tourists visiting Uzbekistan is also increasing.

The meeting focused on advancing new projects, including those involving UK Export Finance (UKEF), in infrastructure development, energy, finance, geology, transport, education, healthcare and other sectors.

The British side expressed its readiness to support the establishment of the International Financial Centre in Tashkent, which will operate under the principles of English law.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to adopt a joint roadmap for the further development of multifaceted cooperation.