Uzbek-Italian business forum

The Uzbek-Italian business forum took place on June 6 in Rome, Italy, prior to the official visit of Uzbekistan’s President Sh.M. Mirziyoyev. The forum brought together government officials and over 200 representatives from business circles in both countries.

During the forum’s opening, Edmondo Chirielli, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, highlighted the increasing interest of the Italian business community in Uzbekistan. President Mirziyoyev’s visit to Italy was seen as a historic event, reflecting the strong modern relations between the two nations. Chirielli emphasized Uzbekistan’s potential as a bridge between Europe and Asia. Italian entrepreneurs expressed their willingness to collaborate and contribute to Uzbekistan’s development by offering advanced technologies and quality products. They pledged to support the growth of bilateral cooperation and explore all partnership opportunities.

Laziz Kudratov, the Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, emphasized the importance of hosting such significant events. He recognized Italy as a strategic partner for Uzbekistan, particularly in trade, economy, and investment. Kudratov also highlighted the substantial increase in Italian investments in Uzbekistan over the past four years and the growing number of Italian-backed enterprises in the country.

The participation of major Italian companies, including Danieli, Pietro Fiorentini, Terranova, and Fin opera, operating in sectors such as metallurgy, electrical engineering, jewelry manufacturing, and agriculture, showcased the expanding cooperation and diversity of Uzbek-Italian relations.

The forum provided insights into Uzbekistan’s investment opportunities and the ongoing reforms aimed at creating a favorable business environment for both domestic and foreign investors. The most promising areas for long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation were identified as the textile industry, agriculture, production of building materials, metallurgy, chemical industry, automotive industry, electronics, and other sectors.

B2B and G2B meetings held during the forum facilitated discussions on specific investment initiatives and showcased real cases demonstrating the investment potential in key sectors of the Uzbek economy.

The forum concluded with the signing of a comprehensive package of investment agreements and trade contracts, encompassing various industries such as energy, agriculture, chemical industry, textile and engineering industries, ecology, transport, logistics, and banking. These agreements signify the active development of bilateral cooperation and the practical and qualitative advancements in Uzbek-Italian relations.