TASHKENT (TCA) — A Chinese delegation headed by China’s Deputy Minister of Commerce Fang Aiqing has visited Tashkent to take part in the fifth meeting of the Subcommittee on Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Uzbek-Chinese Intergovernmental Commission, the Jahon information agency reported.
Opening the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of Uzbekistan Elyor Ganiev said that the Uzbek side is ready, together with its Chinese counterparts, to work out the issues of implementing new projects in the field of trade, infrastructure development, consolidation of customs borders, as well as restoration of historical monuments.
Fang Aiqing spoke of the results of the previous meeting. The period from 2013 to 2016 was characterized by the fastest growth rate of trade between China and Uzbekistan in comparison with other Central Asian nations, he stressed. As for Chinese investments, their volume in Uzbekistan has exceeded $7.6 billion.
The head of the Chinese delegation noted the need to continue active efforts to promote investment, financial, technical, transport and communication projects. The meeting was attended by representatives of 24 Chinese companies willing to discuss cooperation prospects with their Uzbek counterparts. The Chinese side is interested in long-term relations in trade, economy, healthcare, agriculture, livestock, machinery and technology, Fang Aiqing said.
Particular attention was paid to increasing bilateral trade and expanding the range of products in mutual trade.
In 2016, Uzbek-Chinese trade amounted to more than $4.2 billion. Today, 704 enterprises with Chinese capital operate in Uzbekistan.
