Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A meeting of the Council of Regions of Russia and Uzbekistan chaired by the presidents of the two countries was held in Tashkent. 

The event was organized by the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan.

The event was attended by more than 250 representatives of government, business, public organizations and media from Russia and Uzbekistan, including a delegation from 28 regions of Russia, represented at the level of their leaders. The meeting began with welcoming remarks from the presidents of Russia and Uzbekistan, Vladimir Putin and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, respectively.

On the sidelines of this meeting in Tashkent, a number of important agreements were signed at the level of presidents, regional authorities and business structures. These documents laid the foundation for new joint projects with a total value of 220 billion rubles.

During the bilateral meetings, both already implemented joint projects and those that are in preparation for implementation were discussed. For example, one of the most popular Internet portals in Russia plans to build a large logistics center in the Tashkent region, which will lead to the creation of 7.5 thousand new jobs. 

The leading Russian enterprise in the field of transport engineering continues to supply new cars for the Tashkent metro. The Russian plant for the production of pesticides is also successfully operating and actively developing, whose products are exported outside of Uzbekistan. 

It is also planned to deepen cooperation between Russian and Uzbek special economic zones and industrial parks, as well as exchange experience in the field of personnel training at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in the Moscow region.

One of the important results of the meeting was the discussion of an action plan to increase mutual trade between Russia and Uzbekistan. The relevant ministries of the two countries developed this plan, taking into account current trade and the needs of both markets. The plan focuses on the development of seven key areas, which will maximize trade turnover.

Russia and Uzbekistan aim to double trade turnover by 2030. To achieve this, steps are being taken to digitalize customs procedures, expand access to Russian online trading platforms in Uzbekistan, create an investment fund to support promising projects, develop agricultural cooperation and other activities.

“Uzbekistan remains a reliable partner of Russia. This is one of the “locomotives” of the development of Central Asia. Therefore, it is especially important for us to increase bilateral contacts,” said Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia Dmitry Volvach. “The development of trade and economic cooperation, according to the lowest limit of expert forecasts, by 2030 will increase Russian exports to US$14 billion, and imports will exceed US$4 billion.”

Tourism is becoming an increasingly important area of cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan. Thanks to historical, cultural and friendly ties between the peoples of the two countries, the demand for mutual trips is growing. Against the backdrop of active work to increase the accessibility of travel and improve the quality of services, the tourist flow between Russia and Uzbekistan has already increased significantly.

Tashkent is becoming an important transit center in Central Asia, which opens up new opportunities for the development of air transportation between Russia and Uzbekistan. During a meeting of the Council of Regions of Russia and Uzbekistan, the parties discussed the possibility of operating transit flights from Russian cities through Tashkent to popular international destinations.

In addition, cooperation in the field of education is also actively developing, as evidenced by the opening of the Expert Center for Strategic Initiatives in Tashkent and a branch of the All-Russian Academy of Foreign Trade.