President of Uzbekistan notes strong potential for cooperation with the Tuscany region

On July 14, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received an Italian delegation led by Eugenio Giani, Governor of the Tuscany region, who is in Uzbekistan on a working visit.

The parties discussed the further development of the Uzbek-Italian strategic partnership, primarily in the trade, economic, investment, and cultural-humanitarian spheres. Particular attention was paid to expanding interregional cooperation.

Satisfaction was expressed with the growing intensity of bilateral contacts at all levels and the steady increase in key indicators of cooperation. Bilateral trade has increased by 25 percent since the beginning of the year. Projects involving leading Italian companies in metallurgy, energy, agriculture, the chemical industry, and other sectors are being successfully implemented in Uzbekistan.

The sides emphasized that Uzbekistan and Tuscany are linked by centuries-old historical and cultural ties. During the era of the Great Silk Road, Florence and the ancient cities of Uzbekistan conducted active trade, while the court of Amir Timur received Florentine merchants and diplomats.

Today, a branch of the University of Pisa operates successfully in Tashkent, which is graduating its first students this year. A trading house for Uzbek textile products operates in the city of Prato. In 2024, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence hosted an exhibition of Uzbek avant-garde art.

The parties noted significant potential for expanding cooperation with the Tuscany region in the textile, leather, food, and jewelry industries, as well as in construction, education, culture, and tourism.

They also highly commended the development of partnership ties and the signing of a cooperation agreement between Tuscany and the Bukhara region.

Following the meeting, agreement was reached on preparing and adopting a joint roadmap for implementing new projects and initiatives to expand cooperation between Tuscany and the regions of Uzbekistan.

Tuscany is one of the most economically developed regions in Italy, with strong industrial potential, advanced manufacturing, modern agriculture, world-renowned winemaking, and a thriving tourism industry.

The region's capital, Florence, is widely recognized as the cradle of the Renaissance, which made a profound contribution to world culture, science, and art.