On 15 February President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Kozak, who has arrived in our country to take part at the regular session of the Uzbekistan-Russia intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation. 

The Head of our state, welcoming the guest, has underlined the dynamic development and steady reinforcement of strategic partnership relations between Uzbekistan and Russia in many areas, including in commercial and economic spheres. 

The parties have emphasised the active and productive implementation of the agreements, reached during the meeting of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in Samarkand on 6 September 2016.

Today Russia is one of the key economic partners of Uzbekistan. In 2016 the bilateral trade volume exceeded 4,2 bln. US dollars. A package of bilateral agreements on organizing delivery of fruits and vegetable products from Uzbekistan to Russian customers through "a green corridor" has been signed in order to further increase the trade turnover. In 2017 over 1 million tons of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as wide assortment of processed products are planned to be shipped. 

The contacts on all areas of the cooperation, including among the regions of the two countries have significantly intensified. 

The investment cooperation is also improving. Currently in excess of 960 enterprises with the Russian capital operate in Uzbekistan, representative offices of 64 leading Russian companies have been accredited. 

Development and implementation of new investment projects are underway, which along with an oil and gas sector, encompass such spheres as machine building, metallurgy, textile industry, pharmaceuticals and production of modern medical equipment, deep processing of agricultural products. New programs and agreements in education and healthcare spheres are being developed. 

The issues of further diversifying the areas of a mutually beneficial cooperation in various spheres of the economy have been discussed at the meeting. 

The parties stressed the important role of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation in establishing long-term business contacts between companies of the two countries, as well as in pushing forward new joint programs and projects. 

Dmitry Kozak has expressed a sincere gratitude to the President of our country for a warm welcome and reaffirmed the willingness of the Russian Federation to develop a full-scale trade-economic partnership with the Republic of Uzbekistan.

UzA