TASHKENT (TCA) — The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on January 18 took part in the 9th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2019, being held in the city of Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India on January 18-20, the Jahon information agency reported.
The forum was attended by heads of state and governments of Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Malta, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, as well as heads of international organizations and transnational corporations.
In his address to the major economic forum, President Mirziyoyev said that the state of Gujarat from ancient times has a leading place in terms of trade and entrepreneurship, and this summit not only continues these traditions, but also shows the spirit of business of modern India.
The Uzbek leader emphasized that strengthening long-term strategic partnership with India is one of the priority areas of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy and forwarded a number of proposals and initiatives for the development of bilateral cooperation.
“Everyone is well aware that in the III-II centuries BC, the Indian land was connected with Central Asia by the Great Indian Way. Establishment of reliable trade and transport communications between the markets of Central and South Asia is relevant today more than ever. We are discussing the Trans-Afghan railway project. In the future, this corridor will provide access to South Asia, including to India through Chabahar Port,” said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
He proposed to implement joint projects in information technologies, software, agriculture, renewable energy and training specialists for these areas. The first steps have already been taken in this direction, as a joint technopark will be established in Tashkent.
It was emphasized that the most favorable conditions will be created to attract investors to Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan is primarily interested in implementation of promising projects in such areas as energy, pharmaceuticals, textile, leather and footwear, chemical industry, and tourism, the president said.
“Based on the huge economic potential of Gujarat and partnership with [Uzbekistan’s] Andijan region, I propose to hold a business forum of the regions of Uzbekistan and India in the homeland of Babur and ancestors of the great Akbarshah in Andijan,” said Mirziyoyev.
He also proposed holding the Year of Uzbek Culture in India and the Year of Indian Culture in Uzbekistan in 2020, and this year to organize Uzbekistan–India youth forum in Uzbekistan.
At the end of the speech, the President invited everyone to the exhibition of Uzbekistan organized within the framework of the summit, which showcases the industrial, investment and tourism potential of Uzbekistan.
