Both sides exchanged views on various issues pertaining to regional developments in Central Asia as well as avenues to further promote cooperation between the two countries, including in the areas of trade and investment, tourism, and education.

Anvar Salikhbaev said that Uzbekistan has been firmly focused on economic development, and aims to expand economic cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region, ASEAN and Thailand. He added that the development of the North-South Transport Corridor in Central Asia could help increase connectivity between Central Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.

On his part, Foreign Minister Kasit stressed that as a matter of priority, Thailand and Uzbekistan should work together to promote understanding of respective investment laws and economic systems in order to build confidence among their investors and private sectors. He suggested that both sides exchange investment and tourism experts in order to familiarise and learn more about each other.

In response to Uzbekistan’s proposal to intensify cooperation on tourism, Foreign Minister Kasit expressed the view that Uzbekistan has a potential as a religious tourist destination for Thais, particularly since the country is one of the centres of the Islamic civilization and historically a cradle for Buddhism, with several Buddhist relics.

Foreign Minister Kasit added that students from Uzbekistan could take advantage of cooperation in the field of education, with numerous Thai universities offering English language courses including in the areas of tourism and medicine. He also expressed Thailand’s readiness to help universities in Uzbekistan with the development of their curricula.

Both sides shared the view that bilateral cooperation could also be enhanced in areas related to agricultural, pharmaceutical and textile industries.