TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 10. Uzbekistan’s
trade turnover with CIS member states increased by 11 percent last
year and continues to demonstrate steady growth this year,
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated at the meeting of the Council
of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Trend reports, citing the Uzbek president’s
office.
The head of state emphasized that the CIS countries possess
significant potential for deepening economic ties. To make fuller
use of available resources and preserve the positive momentum of
cooperation, President Mirziyoyev proposed focusing joint efforts
on a number of key areas.
Speaking about trade, the president emphasized the need to roll
out the red carpet for smoother trade and to pave the way for a
fruitful exchange of goods and services. He called for simplifying
procedures and requirements for the supply of products,
particularly agricultural ones, and for ensuring broader access to
national markets, including systems of public procurement.
Mirziyoyev also stressed the need to launch mechanisms within the
CIS Economic Council that would allow a rapid response to changes
in the global environment and the timely redirection of trade
flows. Another important step, according to him, is the
coordination of draft agreements on technical barriers and the
mutual recognition of conformity assessment documents.
Touching upon the transport sector, the president drew attention
to existing bottlenecks in regional infrastructure that still
hinder the full efficiency of transport corridors. He suggested
establishing integrated information and logistics centers that
would connect all modes of transport. Uzbekistan, he noted, has
already initiated a conference on expanding public-private
partnerships in the transport sector, aimed at attracting private
investment for the modernization of freight infrastructure.
The head of state also highlighted the growing importance of
investment cooperation and industrial collaboration. He proposed
developing a comprehensive “roadmap” to support and expand special
economic and industrial zones, as well as creating a CIS venture
platform to promote innovative start-ups. Mirziyoyev added that
Uzbekistan plans to host an Innovation Industry Forum next year as
part of the “INNOPROM” exhibition in Tashkent, which will provide a
new platform for exchanging technological ideas and
experiences.
Particular attention was paid to energy cooperation. The
president underscored that Uzbekistan and its CIS partners are
implementing several large-scale strategic projects in the field of
both traditional and renewable energy, including the construction
of a nuclear power plant. He called for the adoption of a long-term
CIS program for innovative energy development that would ensure
technological modernization and enhance the region’s energy
security.
Digital transformation was another priority outlined by the
Uzbek leader. Referring to the successful International Forum
“Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in the CIS,”
held in Samarkand in August, Mirziyoyev noted that it clearly
demonstrated mutual interest and readiness for cooperation in this
field. Building on this momentum, he proposed developing a
multilateral Action Plan to strengthen practical collaboration in
digitalization and artificial intelligence.
In conclusion, the president emphasized that the success of
economic initiatives must be complemented by active cultural and
humanitarian exchanges, joint scientific research, and educational
cooperation. He reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s readiness to host the CIS
Youth Forum in Khiva next year, which will include discussions on
creating a Youth Laboratory to support innovation and the
intellectual potential of the younger generation.
He also drew attention to regional security issues, stressing
the importance of maintaining close coordination between the
foreign ministries and security services of CIS countries. Special
attention, he noted, should be paid to the situation in
Afghanistan. “Uzbekistan remains firmly committed to ensuring
long-term peace, stability, and sustainable development in
Afghanistan. In this regard, we propose considering joint
participation in major investment and infrastructure projects in
this country,” the president stated.
At the conclusion of his speech, President Mirziyoyev expressed
support for the reappointment of Sergey Lebedev as Secretary
General of the CIS and congratulated President Serdar
Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan on assuming the chairmanship of the
organization, wishing him success in this responsible mission.
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