Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — As part of his official visit to Paris, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, held a meeting with representatives of France’s leading business circles.

The dialogue between the Uzbek leader and the French business community has a history of its own, with similar meetings taking place during his official visits to France in 2018 and 2022, as well as at the Samarkand summit in 2023. The current forum represents a logical continuation of this constructive engagement, with a key distinguishing feature being the participation of representatives from Uzbekistan’s private sector, signaling an expansion of bilateral business cooperation.

The event was attended by France’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Affairs of French Nationals Abroad, Laurent Saint-Martin, the Director-General of the French Development Agency, Rémy Rioux, the Head of MEDEF International and Chairman of the Board of Orano Mining, Claude Imauven, as well as more than 60 executives from leading companies, investment, and financial institutions from both countries.

The French delegation included major corporations such as SUEZ, Veolia, Total, EDF, Voltalia, Orano, Meridiam, Saint-Gobain, Imerys, Natixis, Société Générale, BPI France, Airbus, MND, Eiffage, Schneider Electric, Total Energies, Alstom, Technip Energies, Egis, ADP Group, Ellipse Projects, Assystem, ATR, among others.

In his address, the President of Uzbekistan praised the productive negotiations held with French President Emmanuel Macron, where special attention was given to supporting business initiatives and implementing large-scale joint projects. A key outcome of these talks was the signing of an agreement to elevate Uzbek-French relations to the level of a strategic partnership.

The President highlighted the leading role of major companies from both countries in deepening multifaceted cooperation. He expressed gratitude to French businesses for their support of Uzbekistan’s economic reforms and positively assessed the visit of a MEDEF delegation to Tashkent in January of this year.

It was noted that a number of strategically significant projects are already being implemented in collaboration with French companies. Uzbekistan is keen to further attract French investments, introduce advanced technologies, and leverage best global practices and project solutions.

The President emphasized the importance of further developing trade and economic ties with France, stating that this goal would be supported by the Innovation and Industrial Cooperation Program until 2027, which includes concrete projects worth €6.5 billion. The program envisions active engagement with French financial institutions to support business initiatives.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev outlined key areas for future collaboration, including the development of promising mineral deposits and the deep processing of critical mineral resources, the establishment of modern production facilities in construction materials, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, electrical engineering, and agriculture. Special attention was given to increasing energy capacity, implementing energy storage systems, and modernizing Uzbekistan’s water management, municipal, tourism, and transport infrastructure.

To ensure the effective coordination of joint projects, the President proposed establishing a permanent Uzbek-French Investment Council, to be headed by the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan. The first meeting of the council could take place as early as June during the Tashkent International Investment Forum. The President invited French businesses to actively participate in the event.

During the meeting, representatives of French companies presented their proposals and plans for expanding cooperation. At the conclusion of the event, the President of Uzbekistan wished the business community success and instructed the heads of relevant ministries and agencies to oversee the implementation of the agreements in accordance with the government’s approved roadmaps.