Nabil Gangi, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia has been invited to attend as a speaker the First Tashkent International Investment Forum which was organized on 24-26 March 2022 in Tashkent. FAO became one of the key contributors to the panel session “Production Modernization and New Agriculture Markets” on 25 March.

The first Tashkent International Investment Forum is a new platform for the Central Asian region, in the format of which the investment potential of Uzbekistan is presented to the international investment and business communities. The Forum is aimed at attracting the leaders of major foreign investment, financial and economic organizations and companies interested in integrating into the dynamically developing market of Uzbekistan.

“The last five years in Uzbekistan have seen the implementation of unprecedented and comprehensive reforms aimed at promoting the development of the agricultural sector, including the introduction of market mechanisms, advanced technologies in the agricultural sector and the transition to a cluster production system” Nabil Gangi noted, adding that “This investment forum provides an excellent opportunity to understand better the quantum and sequence of investments required, the roles of public and private investment, the incentives for private investors in the agriculture sector and how the required investments are to be financed”.

Speaking at the forum, Nabil Gangi expressed hope for the further development of cooperation with the Government of Uzbekistan in the framework of the implementation of the tasks and programs outlined in the “Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026”.

During the visit, Nabil Ganji held meetings with Roli Asthana, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan as well as with representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan and got acquainted with the progress of FAO projects implementation in various areas including the development of agriculture through the introduction of digital technologies, potato and rice growing sectors development, the promotion of geographical indications, sustainable forest management, conservation of desert biodiversity, response to the risks of drought and salinity, beekeeping, greenhouse farming, locust control and much more. Mr. Ganji shared his recommendations for further support to the most vulnerable social groups of the population and ensure food security in Uzbekistan.