On November 17, 2021, on the eve of the visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Russian Federation, Moscow hosted the Second Forum of Interregional Cooperation.

The event brought together more than 800 participants – members of governments, heads of regions, ministries, agencies, industry associations, business associations, representatives of large companies and the private sector of the two countries.

The forum is aimed at creating a single space for establishing and strengthening direct business contacts and practical interaction between the regions of Uzbekistan and Russia.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin addressed the event via videoconference.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan S.Umurzakov and Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation M.Reshetnikov presented information on the work carried out this year to establish ties between the regions of the two countries and the elaboration of joint interregional projects and initiatives.

It was noted that more than 50 mutual visits took place this year. Heads of all regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan visited 42 facilities of the Russian Federation. Such a format of interaction has proven to be an effective way to explore the potential for partnership in a wide range of areas and to develop specific interregional projects and cooperation programs.

The event included thematic sessions, at which important topics concerning the intensification of interaction between the regions of the two countries in the economic, social and infrastructural development, the introduction of digital technologies, the implementation of joint projects in agriculture, increasing the volume of mutual trade, expanding transport links and tourism development were considered.

The heads of the regions of the two countries outlined in detail their vision of further steps to build close and long-term partnerships, as well as forwarded constructive initiatives and concrete proposals for the implementation of mutually beneficial projects in promising industries. The importance of intensifying efforts to create joint high-tech industries, enhancing industrial cooperation in a wide range of industries and directions to saturate the markets of the two countries with competitive products in demand, as well as developing the markets of third countries was emphasized.

In addition, the Heads of the administrations of the regions of Uzbekistan and Russia held several bilateral meetings and negotiations, during which agreements were reached on the implementation of specific projects and initiatives.

Following the business meetings and negotiations held on the sidelines of the forum, about 600 bilateral agreements worth $9 billion were signed, including 141 investment projects worth $7.4 billion and 455 export contracts worth $1.6 billion. Investment projects will be accompanied by a joint Project office established between the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. It was also announced that the administrations of the regions of the two countries will start working on 75 new investment projects in promising industries.

The agreements covered such areas of cooperation as metallurgy, energy, chemical, electrical, leather and footwear, textile and pharmaceutical industries, water management, oil and gas industry and the banking-financial sector.

UzA