On February 20, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the invitation of the President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, departed for this country on an official visit.

Here in Cairo a brief meeting of the heads of state took place.

Then Mirziyoyev got familiar with the legacy of the great scientist Ahmad Fergani.

In 2007, a monument to Ahmad Fergani was erected in the square next to a device, known as the “Nilometer”.  The President laid flowers at the monument and honored the memory of our great ancestor.  Also he talked with scientists about the history of the structure and Ahmad Fergani’s research.

It should be noted that “Nilometer” played an essential role in planning agricultural work and forecasting natural phenomena. For almost 1200 years, the structure was used for its intended purpose until the last century. Today it is a tourist destination.

Mirziyoyev then visited the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, located in the ancient city of Fustat, now part of Cairo.  

The museum contains more than 50 thousand items covering the period from ancient times to the present day.

The importance of enhancing cooperation between museums and historians of the two countries, a joint study of our common heritage, organization of mutual exhibitions was emphasized.

The President of Uzbekistan left an entry in the Book of Honorary Guests of the museum.

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Last but not least Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with the heads of leading companies in Egypt such as as Elsewedy Electric, El Araby Group, Orascom Construction, Poliserve Group, Al-Rowad, Lotus Garments Group, and others.

Huge potential in bilateral relations and great opportunities for building up business ties and business contacts, enhancing mutual investment and increasing trade between Uzbekistan and Egypt were noted at the meeting.

“Egyptian companies have all the opportunities for the joint implementation of large investment programs in our country”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized.  

Elsewedy Electric, Egypt’s largest producer of electricity, transformers and cable products, is ready for the practical development of joint projects for the construction of wind and solar power plants, the establishment of the production of transformers, cable and wire products and accessories.  

The leadership of Orascom Construction expressed interest in implementing a project in Uzbekistan to create an industrial park with the subsequent construction of facilities for the production of paints and varnishes and chemicals for building materials on its territory, as well as the construction of a wind farm with a capacity of 100 MW.  

Following the meeting, it was decided to adopt a joint roadmap to ensure the practical implementation of joint projects and further build up trade and investment cooperation.

The main events of the visit, including high-level talks, are scheduled for today, February 21.

Gulrukh Abdullaeva, UzA