Rome hosted a joint business forum. The event was attended by heads of ministries and agencies and more than 200 representatives of leading business circles of Italy and Uzbekistan.

“Economic cooperation between Italy and Uzbekistan is developing progressively, the number of Italian and joint ventures in Uzbekistan is increasing, and the trade turnover is expanding, – says Agostino Pinna, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Uzbekistan. – The Forum has been an important event for many years. I am convinced that it will become the beginning of more intensive cooperation. After the historic visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Italy, the multifaceted friendly partnership will reach a new level”.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Edmondo Cirielli stressed the growing interest of the Italian business community in Uzbekistan. The official visit of Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Italy has been called a historic event, and the rich political and business agenda reflects the highest level of modern relations between the two countries.

Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov noted the importance of holding such events to enhance cooperation.

Uzbekistan attaches particular importance to further strengthening its partnership with Italy, which is one of the largest trading partners in the European Union.

The results in trade and investment partnerships and industrial cooperation were noted at the event. Over the past four years alone, the volume of Italian investments in Uzbekistan has increased sevenfold, and the number of enterprises operating in Uzbekistan with Italian capital has doubled. Among the significant partners are Danieli, Pietro Fiorentini, Terranova, and Fin Opera, working in metallurgy, the electrical industry, jewelry, and agriculture, respectively.

At the business forum, the participants got acquainted with the investment potential of Uzbekistan and the results of the ongoing reforms aimed at creating comfortable conditions for businesses in general and foreign investors in particular. The textile industry, agriculture, processing of agricultural products, manufacturing building materials, metallurgy, automotive industry, and electronics were noted as the most promising areas.

B2B and G2B meetings were held, allowing business community representatives to discuss practical aspects of joint implementation of specific investment projects. Real cases reflecting the investment potential of the driver areas were presented.

Following the business forum, investment agreements and trade contracts were signed covering the chemical, leather, footwear, textile, machine-building, and banking sectors, energy, agriculture, ecology, transport, and logistics.

Nazokat Rajabova, UzA

Italy