UzA correspondent talked to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Tobias Ellwood about the current state and prospects of cooperation between the two countries.

The United Kingdom is one of the major trade partners of Uzbekistan in Europe. The agreements signed between our countries on avoidance of double taxation, prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and capital, mutual stimulation and protection of investments, cooperation in the spheres of economy, education, science and culture, air transport, and tourism are an important legal basis for development of the bilateral relations.

UzA correspondent talked to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Tobias Ellwood about the current state and prospects of cooperation between the two countries.

– What is the purpose of your visit to Uzbekistan and what are the expected results?

– The main reason for my visit is to deepen and build on the bilateral relationship that the UK and Uzbekistan have had since Uzbekistan’s independence. Our relationship is as good today as it has been and in recent years has developed to cover a wider range of issues.

I held bilateral consultations with a number of ministers in Uzbekistan. These covered areas such as regional security, Afghanistan, countering violent extremism and governance. My discussions also covered economic and trade opportunities, UK support for education, through the excellent work of the British Council and through the equally excellent UK Chevening Scholarship programme.

I was pleased to have met representatives of British businesses here to hear more about their operations and also to meet many young Uzbeks, such as those studying at Westminster International University and some Chevening Scholars. It is clear to me that there is no shortage of talented young people to help pave the way for Uzbekistan’s future.

I was also interested to hear more about the role of parliament in Uzbekistan, which I know has been undergoing some changes recently.

I hope that through this, my first visit, further areas for bilateral co-operation will emerge. The UK and Uzbekistan already have common interests. I see potential to do even more together. I look forward to seeing more bilateral co-operation across several fronts in time for my next visit.

– Could you please describe the current bilateral economic and trade relations between two countries and in your opinion, what are the possible ways of further strengthening of such relations?

– I am pleased to note that a number of British companies are operating here but I do think that there is room for this to increase. I discussed the scope for this with Minister Elyor Ganiev.

According to official Uzbek figures, in 2015 bilateral trade amounted to 105.7 million USD. These figures state that exports from Uzbekistan to the UK reached 32.8 million USD and imports from the UK to Uzbekistan amounted to 72.9 million USD. The size of markets here for British firms suggests these figures could be increased.

Members of the Uzbek-British Trade and Industry Council (UBTIC) are doing a good job of trying to increase bilateral trade. It has stood as a good platform on which to bring Uzbek and British companies together. It was established in 1994 and is now co-chaired by Dame Barbara Hay and Mr. Ganiev. The annual meetings of UBTIC enable British companies to learn about market opportunities, economic developments and government plans, to meet ministers and officials, and to learn from each others’ progress and experience. The last UBTIC session took place in London in November 2015.

I am following the development of the Uzbek economy with interest and I do hope that British companies can play an increasing role in supporting growth in this country.

– In your opinion, what are the results of UK-Uzbekistan cooperation in the cultural and educational area?

– I am proud that the British Council is such a major part of the UK presence here. It is doing immensely good work in sharing the best of British excellence in education and culture with Uzbekistan. And I know that many people here have enjoyed recent initiatives such as the Hamlet production, in connection with the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth, the ‘Shakespeare in Uzbekistan’ exhibition at the National Theatre of Uzbekistan and the Henry Moore sculpture exhibition earlier last year.

The British Council is also active in supporting the Uzbek government’s attempts to dramatically expand and improve English language teaching. This has resulted in reaching over five hundred thousand new learners of English in Uzbekistan.