Due to the wise foreign policy pursued by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, international cooperation is expanding, and centuries-old ties with many countries are rising to the level of strategic partnership.
Friendly relations between Uzbekistan and Italy are an example of this. The connection between the two countries has its historical roots.
Uzbek-Italian relations were established during the official visit of the first President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Italy in June 1996 and November 2000. The cooperation protocol was signed on May 21, 2007.
Today, on the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, this multifaceted partnership is developing in various fields, such as telecommunications, science, tourism, culture, health, economy, etc.
59 enterprises with the participation of Italian investments operate in Uzbekistan, 18 of them with 100% capital.
On March 11, 2021, the Confindustria Uzbekistan branch opened at the Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent. Confindustria unites 150 thousand manufacturing and service companies in Italy and supports enterprises that contribute to the country's economic, social, and civic development.
In particular, we talked with Marco Farci, a member of the Council of the Italian-Uzbek Chamber of Commerce, to get acquainted with the positive processes in the trade and economy between the two countries.
– What kinds of cooperation have been established between the two countries?
– Several important agreements and memorandum of understanding were signed in various fields, such as agriculture, industry, health, technology, and innovation. Moreover, this was an opportunity to bring closer both countries’ business circles and organize a joint business forum with the participation of more than 200 companies and organizations from Uzbekistan and Italy. We can also see the mutual interest of both countries in strengthening their cooperation within the framework of the European Union and its strategy for Central Asia.
Nowadays, one of the key areas of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Italy is technology and innovation. The two countries have agreed to collaborate on developing a modern national innovation system in Uzbekistan. The partnership will focus on improving the capacity of public research organizations, fostering innovation culture and entrepreneurship, supporting knowledge-based startups and R&D projects, enhancing digital skills and literacy, and promoting a green economy and sustainable development.
The cooperation will also involve joint research activities, academic exchanges, technology transfer, and commercialization of innovative products and services in various sectors such as renewable energy, machinery, textile, leather industry, etc.
– What are the results of cooperation?
– The cooperation between Uzbekistan and Italy has yielded positive results in various fields and sectors, such as innovation.
One of the concrete examples of this cooperation is the establishment of the Italian-Uzbek Center for Advanced Engineering in Tashkent (ITA-UZB Center), which is a joint initiative of the Italian Trade Agency and Agency for Innovative Development of Uzbekistan and several Italian and Uzbek associations and universities. The ITA-UZB Center aims to carry out training, research, and pilot construction work on the development of production of new products, as well as facilitate technology transfer and innovation diffusion in industries such as mechanical engineering, mechatronics, textiles, and the leather industry.
– Could you tell me about the exports and imports, please?
– The exports and imports between Uzbekistan and Italy are as follows:
Uzbekistan exported to Italy goods worth $48.68 million in 2022, which was a 25% increase from 2021.
The primary exported goods were knitted or crocheted fabric ($25.66 million), articles of apparel, knit or crocheted ($6.61 million), zinc ($6.33 million), cotton ($6.02 million), and raw hides and skins ($2.46 million).
Uzbekistan imported from Italy goods worth $1.01 billion in 2021, which was a 10% increase from 2020.
The primary imported goods were packaged medicaments ($1.04 million), motor vehicles and parts ($1.01 million), cars ($656 million), refined petroleum ($608 million), and wheat ($535 million). The machinery and transport sectors accounted for 32.4% of the total volume of imports from Italy in 2021, as Uzbekistan continued its industrialization policy of importing new capital equipment to modernize its manufacturing sector and infrastructure.
– Which products are in high demand?
– Some of the products in high demand between the two countries are textiles, food, leather goods, and equipment from Uzbekistan to Italy, packaged medicaments, motor vehicles and parts, cars, and refined petroleum, from Italy to Uzbekistan. These products reflect the trade patterns and economic development of both countries. For example, Uzbekistan has been exporting more industrial goods to Italy, which shows its progress in diversifying its economy and increasing its value-added production. On the other hand, Uzbekistan has been importing more machinery and transport equipment from Italy, which shows its industrialization policy and modernization of its infrastructure.
– In what areas are Italian business circles interested in cooperating with Uzbekistan? What attracts them the most?
– Italian business circles are interested in cooperating with Uzbekistan in various fields, such as trade, investment, energy, agriculture, technology, innovation, and education. They are attracted by the reforms and opportunities that Uzbekistan offers for foreign partners, as well as its strategic location and potential market in Central Asia. The Italian government has been actively supporting the development of bilateral relations and organizing events to facilitate dialogue and exchange between the business communities of both countries.
– What projects are planned to be implemented?
– Some of the projects that are planned to be implemented in Uzbekistan are:
The Italian-Uzbek Center for Advanced Engineering in Tashkent, which is a partnership between the Italian Trade Agency and the Agency for Innovative Development of Uzbekistan, aimed at creating a platform for training, research, and innovation in the field of advanced engineering and technologies.
The Joint Project for Ecological Conversion of Existing Vehicles into Hybrid Vehicles in Uzbekistan, which is a collaboration between the Agency for Innovative Development of Uzbekistan and the Italian company Sunmotive, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality by converting existing vehicles into hybrid ones using electricity.
The organization of research and development and implementation of joint innovative projects in the production and use of “green” hydrogen, which is a partnership between the Agency for Innovative Development of Uzbekistan and the Politecnico di Torino, aimed at developing the potential of hydrogen as a clean and renewable energy source, as well as assisting the transition to carbon neutrality.
– What does the future of Uzbek-Italian trade cooperation look like, in your opinion?
– In my opinion, the future of Uzbek-Italian trade cooperation looks promising and dynamic, as both countries are interested in expanding and diversifying their economic ties and exploring new opportunities for mutual benefit. Some of the factors that contribute to this positive outlook are:
The increasing number of enterprises with Italian capital operating in Uzbekistan reflects the growing confidence and interest of Italian investors and entrepreneurs in the Uzbek market and its potential. Some sectors that attract Italian investments are mining, metallurgy, petrochemicals, electrical industries, building materials, engineering, and technologies.
The implementation of joint projects and initiatives that involve cooperation between Uzbek and Italian organizations in various fields, such as renewable energy generation, ecological conversion of vehicles, production and use of “green” hydrogen, and more. These projects demonstrate the complementarity and synergy of the Uzbek and Italian expertise and capabilities.
It should be noted that the visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Italy is scheduled in a few days. We are convinced that following the visit, relations between the two countries will undergo fundamental changes that will take them to a new level.
Nazokat Rajabova, UzA Correspondent in Italy