The Days of European Economy started in Tashkent on 6 Novermber. The two-day forum, held for the first time, gathered over 300 delegates, including business representatives and members of governments and international organizations, to discuss key economic cooperation topics.
Advisor to president of Uzbekistan on economic development Ravshan Gulyamov read president Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s address to the forum participants.
In his message, the head of the state expressed confidence that the conference would contribute to strengthening trade, economic and investment relations between Uzbekistan and Europe, unlocking new cooperation potential.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that in recent years, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the European Union has doubled, with the European market becoming a major destination for Uzbek products.
The EU’s GSP+ trade preference system has boosted Uzbekistan’s export potential by allowing entrepreneurs to sell goods on the European market without customs duties, he added.
Currently, nearly 1,000 enterprises with European capital are operating in Uzbekistan.
“You can be assured that we will create the most favorable conditions for all companies to implement joint projects in sectors such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, mining, energy, agriculture, textile manufacturing, tourism and others,” president stated in his address.
He urged European companies to participate in projects involving processing of critical raw materials and in promising infrastructure initiatives as part of the Trans-Caspian transport corridor. Known as the Middle corridor, this route connects Asian countries through the Caspian sea to Europe, traversing nations like China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. It serves as an alternative to land routes through Russia, Belarus and Poland.
The European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also greeted the delegates in a video address.
“Uzbekistan wants to open up to the world again and take back central position, not only in Asia, but in global trade routes and investment flows. And Europe wants to be your partner for this new chapter in Uzbekistan’s millennial history,” she noted.
“Already in recent years, Uzbekistan and Europe have come closer than ever before… Since 2021, we have opened up European markets to Uzbek goods. Uzbek exports to Europe have boomed, for instance, in textiles and metals. And the potential growth is still massive,” the EC president stressed.
Ursula von der Leyen said that European Union, with international partners, was investing €10 billion in the Trans Caspian corridor. That is the shortest and safest route between Europe and East Asia. It will link Europe and Central Asia in less than 15 days.
“We are also exploring the possibility of connecting Uzbekistan to our satellite networks to bring top class digital connections to your most remote areas. Uzbekistan is at the crossroads of our continents, and it must also be at the center of our global networks,” she noted.
In December 2023, it was revealed that the EU plans to help Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan, diversify their internet sources. The EU is offering the region European satellite connectivity developed by SES. Unlike the United States' Starlink, SES satellites operate in medium Earth orbit rather than in low Earth orbit.
European Union and Uzbekistan are expanding cooperation in strategic sectors. Last April, the parties signed a partnership on the sustainable raw materials value chain.
“We know that some global investors are mainly interested in extracting the raw materials from the ground, but that’s not us. We want to support the creation of local industries with local jobs and local added value and the highest standards. Because this is the best way to build more resilient global value chains,” Ursula von der Leyen emphasized.
She reminded that the first-ever “Central Asia — EU” summit will be held next year in Samarkand.
“The best days of our partnership are ahead of us!” Ursula von der Leyen concluded.
