The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, has participated today in virtual mode, together with the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister for Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan, Sardor Umurzakov, in the Italy-Uzbekistan Business Forum in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Manlio Di Stefano, and the bodies responsible for the internationalisation of the two countries, including ICE (Italian Trade and Investment Agency), SACE and Simest, and Confindustria. The initiative, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the collaboration of “The European House-Ambrosetti”, the Italian Embassy in Tashkent and the Uzbek Embassy in Italy, aims at strengthening the dialogue between the two countries by encouraging economic and trade and bilateral investment. The great interest aroused by the event is evidenced by the fact that over one thousand Italian and Uzbek companies have taken part in the event.
In his speech, Minister Di Maio has highlighted Uzbekistan’s remarkable opportunities for the Italian manufacturing sector considering the significant economic transformation reforms, country modernisation, and the opening to foreign investment adopted by Tashkent’s authorities. With a view to fully exploiting such opportunities it will be essential to focus on Uzbekistan’s need to modernise its production system and Italy’s ability to supply technologically advanced products, particularly in the energy, infrastructure, mechanical, and agro-industry sectors.
Following the Business Forum opening, Minister Di Maio and Vice-Prime Minister Umurzakov have had a long and cordial bilateral discussion. They have analysed the bilateral political and economic relations in-depth considering the upcoming events scheduled, starting from President Mirziyoyev’s visit to Italy and the second “Italy Central Asia” Ministerial meeting in 1+5 format. Vice-Prime Minister Umurzakov has expressed special appreciation for the activities of Italian companies in Uzbekistan.
The meeting has also been the occasion to exchange views on the regional situation in Central Asia and Afghanistan.
