Uzbekistan – Slovakia Business Forum took place as part of the IV Tashkent International Investment Forum.

The activity of the foreign delegation once again confirmed Slovakia’s high interest in developing cooperation with Uzbekistan.

The event has become a platform that creates a solid foundation for deepening existing ties, exploring new areas of cooperation, and developing economic cooperation.

The Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shokhrukh Gulomov, noted that relations between Slovakia and Uzbekistan have significantly intensified in 2024. The volume of mutual trade reached 72.5 million euros, an increase of 48.7 percent compared to 2023.

Nineteen companies are operating in Uzbekistan. However, these figures do not reflect the existing potential of bilateral cooperation. The guests expressed interest in strengthening and expanding their positions in the Uzbekistan market. Thus, AZC, OFZ, Rokosan, and Matador have extensive experience in the automotive, metallurgical, infrastructural, agricultural, food, and energy sectors. Slovakia is one of the leading suppliers of tires, auto parts, and metal products. The partners have initiated several initiatives to import rice, fruits, and clothing from Uzbekistan. It was noted that these positive changes will increase exports by 54.8 percent and reduce imports by 3.5 percent.

Uzbekistan remains an attractive hub for investment, innovation, and development in the region. The parties expressed their willingness to deepen ties and implement joint projects. Several agreements have been signed. Promising areas of cooperation were discussed in B2B and G2B meetings.

Following the event, documents were adopted on 15 projects in mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, chemical, transport industry, construction materials production, agriculture, energy, food industry, information technology, healthcare, and metallurgy.

[gallery-23822]

Bekhruz Khudoyberdiyev, photos by Rustam Nazarmatov, UzA