Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Laziz Kudratov participated in the 6th annual consultations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the French Development Agency (AFD).

Representatives of Proparco and Expertise France, as well as leading experts and entrepreneurs, participated in the event.

Participants reviewed the results of bilateral cooperation focused on supporting reforms, implementing infrastructure projects, and promoting the development of the green economy. It was noted that AFD continues to play a significant role in improving living standards, addressing environmental and social challenges, and supporting the private sector in Uzbekistan.

The consultations also highlighted growing trade and investment ties between Uzbekistan and the European Union. In 2024, trade turnover between the two sides reached $6.4 billion, marking an increase of 5.2%. One of the key success factors was Uzbekistan’s effective utilization of the GSP+ program, granting access to the European market for over 6,200 types of Uzbek products. This has significantly boosted exports and strengthened the position of domestic producers within the EU.

Over 1,000 European companies operate in Uzbekistan, implementing investment projects worth more than 30 billion euros. French expertise can serve as an additional driver of economic growth in the country, mainly through developing sectoral strategies, support for regional development programs, and reforms to strengthen the private sector.

The parties identified key areas for further cooperation, including expanding regional collaboration, attracting additional financial resources, and joint initiatives related to critical raw materials.

M. Pirmatova, UzA