BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia discussed opportunities to attract additional Saudi investments in energy and energy infrastructure development, Trend reports referring to the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan.
On May 3, 2021, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov met with the Minister of Investments of Saudi Arabia Khalid Al-Falih within the framework of the visit of the government delegation of Uzbekistan to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.
During the meeting, the parties considered topical issues of bilateral investment and trade and economic cooperation, as well as the implementation of the agreements reached, following the visit of the government delegation of Saudi Arabia to Uzbekistan in January 2021.
Also, the prospects for the implementation of new joint projects in the fields of energy, agriculture, chemical industry, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, tourism, transport and logistics were discussed.
It was noted that in March of this year, the board of directors of ACWA Power approved a new program for the development of power generating capacities in Uzbekistan, which provides for the implementation of additional projects in the Syrdarya region and the Republic of Karakalpakstan for a total of $3 billion.
The Saudi side also emphasized the interest of large Saudi companies in Uzbekistan and expressed readiness for close cooperation to attract Saudi investments to the implementation of additional projects. In this context, an agreement was reached on organizing mutual visits of business circles during May-June of this year and holding joint business forums in the cities of Tashkent, Riyadh and Jeddah.
In addition, the sides touched upon the issues of increasing mutual tourist flows through the establishment of regular direct passenger flights between the two countries. In particular, a significant potential was noted for the development of pilgrimage in both directions.
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