The Europe – Uzbekistan Association for Economic Cooperation (EUROUZ) announced the European Economic Days 2024, scheduled for November 6-7 at the Hilton Tashkent City.

This flagship event will gather senior stakeholders from Europe and Uzbekistan to foster partnerships, explore business opportunities, and deepen economic collaboration.

The Opening Ceremony will include remarks by high-level Uzbek and EU officials, with a keynote address by Laziz Kudratov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade, and H.E. Toivo Klaar, EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan, setting the tone for discussions on bilateral economic relations.

The event is uniquely structured as a modular program, comprising a traditional discussion forum followed by practical workshops and roundtables aimed at addressing challenges and achieving tangible progress in EU – Uzbekistan economic relations.

Day 1 will focus on Uzbekistan’s economic reforms, WTO accession, and integration into global supply chains. Key sessions include:

Panels on global trade and Central Asia’s evolving role, featuring insights from senior representatives of the European Commission, Big Four firms like PwC and KPMG, European business leaders, and other international experts.

Discussions on critical raw materials and EU – Central Asia cooperation, with participation from leaders at Orano Group (Nurlikum Mining), Navoi Mining, and other major regional players.

Breakout sessions on industrial transformation, digital infrastructure, and sustainable development, with contributions from EDF, Voltalia, and Schneider Group.

An OECD-led session on the Trans-Caspian corridor, addressing strategic logistics, trade routes, and regional cooperation, featuring insights from key officials and trade experts.

Day 2 will delve into sector-specific discussions, including:

Roundtables on healthcare, life sciences, compliance, and transparency, with senior-level participation from companies like ACWA Power, Beeline Uzbekistan, AstraZeneca, Stada, and the Associations of European Businesses in other CIS countries.

Sessions on sustainability and ESG practices, focusing on climate resilience and critical resources, with perspectives from SUEZ, Akfa, Enera Group, and leaders in major industrial projects.

Workshops on government relations and effective lobbying, offering insights from industry professionals at Edward’s East Strategies, Philip Morris, and others.

The event will conclude with site visits to leading industrial and mining enterprises, giving participants a closer look at Uzbekistan’s economic potential and evolving landscape.

Organized with partial financial support from the EU through cooperation with OECD and ITC, the European Economic Days 2024 provides a valuable and practical platform for promoting EU – Uzbekistan collaboration. The event offers businesses opportunities to engage with government officials and industry leaders, supporting sustainable growth and economic diversification while encouraging strategic partnerships and exploring new investment opportunities in Uzbekistan’s expanding market.

Nasiba Ziyodullayeva, UzA