Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 26 June 2025, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade (MIFT) of the Republic of Uzbekistan between Deputy Minister Shokhrukh Gulamov and a delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led by Ms. Yasuyo Okumoto, Senior Director of the Private Sector Development Group at the Economic Development Department.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and future prospects of Uzbek-Japanese cooperation, placing particular emphasis on the development of the private sector, the strengthening of human capital, and the support of joint initiatives. They reviewed priority areas of collaboration under ongoing and prospective projects aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, knowledge exchange, and business network expansion.

Special attention was given to the significant contribution of the Uzbekistan-Japan Center for Human Resources Development (UJC), which plays a key role in training qualified personnel, conducting business courses, and organizing cultural and educational programs aimed at enhancing entrepreneurial skills among youth. The sides discussed the potential modernization of the Center’s training infrastructure and the development of new joint educational and consulting programs.

As a result of the negotiations, a Protocol was signed between the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan and JICA on Japanese technical cooperation within the framework of the project "Capacity Development of Entrepreneurs and Business Networking through Uzbekistan-Japan Center for Human Resources Development (Phase 3)." The signing of this document marked an important step toward further strengthening the partnership and deepening bilateral cooperation in human development and entrepreneurship support.