Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov met with a delegation of the International Monetary Fund led by Ron van Roden.

The parties considered the investment policy carried out in Uzbekistan, measures taken to improve the investment climate, mechanisms for attracting, supporting and legally protecting foreign investors, as well as the implementation of the State Investment Program. Views were exchanged on the issues of improving the investment project management system, the results of the IMF’s assessment of public investment management.

The role of the newly established International Cooperation and Development Agency under the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade in the context of assisting in the development and implementation of projects with the participation of international financial institutions was noted. According to the delegation, the high results of large-scale transformations in Uzbekistan carried out under the leadership of the President of Uzbekistan contribute to the formation of a positive image of the country among the global business community.

The participants stressed the timeliness of the Tashkent Investment Forum, which demonstrated the opportunities and high potential of Uzbekistan as an attractive and steadily developing state for investment. The parties exchanged views on foreign trade policy and measures being implemented to increase the export potential of Uzbekistan. The results achieved through close and constant interaction with entrepreneurs and exporters were considered. Uzbekistan's foreign economic relations, in particular, in the investment, trade and transport-logistics spheres, aroused particular interest.

Ron van Roden welcomed Uzbekistan's obtaining the status of a beneficiary country of the European Union’s Generalised System of Preferences “GSP+” and the GSP Enhanced Framework of the UK. He noted the role of the reforms carried out in the country in achieving the ending of the boycott of Uzbek cotton and textiles by the Cotton Campaign.

The process of Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization was discussed. The parties exchanged views on the prospects for further socio-economic development of the country, discussed forecasts in the investment, trade and economic spheres.

G. Sattorova, UzA