The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to ASEAN, Mr Shavkat K. Jamalov, said that his accreditation reflected Uzbekistan’s high interest to cooperate closer with the region.

Dr Surin Pitsuwan said in reply that ASEAN could learn from Uzbekistan on managing economy in transition. Private sectors of both sides, he added, should be encouraged to engage in concrete trade and investment cooperation.

The Secretary-General also looked forward to a closer cooperation between ASEAN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), of which Uzbekistan is a Member State.

Dr Surin also encouraged Ambassador Jamalov to further explore cooperation in areas of culture, trade, tourism, journalist exchange and higher education. Ambassador Jamalov said he would look into the possibility of exchanges of students, experts and academia to share experiences and best practice as well as to raise awareness of both ASEAN and Uzbekistan.