Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 6 February, in Tashkent, as part of the visit of the government delegation of the Republic of Belarus to Uzbekistan, the 3rd meeting of the Uzbek-Belarusian Business Council and B2B negotiations were held with the participation of representatives of the business circles of the two countries.

The event was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan J. Urakov, Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry D. Meleshkin, heads of relevant ministries and departments, industry associations, as well as representatives of the business circles of the two countries.

At the meeting, issues of developing trade, economic, investment and regional cooperation between Uzbekistan and Belarus, as well as further improving trade in export products were discussed. In his speech, Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry J. Urakov noted that trade and economic cooperation between the business circles of the two countries has intensified significantly in recent years.

The Republic of Belarus is one of the ten main trading partners of Uzbekistan. Trade, economic and investment cooperation is an important component of bilateral relations between countries. In this regard, the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the two countries also make a huge contribution to expanding cooperation between the countries.

The forum was attended by more than 70 leading representatives of the business circles of the two countries, in particular, companies operating in the forestry, pulp and paper, light and retail trade, information and communication technologies, mechanical engineering, metalworking, and construction industries.

During the meeting, reports were heard from the business circles of the two countries, an agreement was reached on cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and the Bellegprom concern to form a list of qualified workers to master new professions from among citizens of Uzbekistan and exchange experience at textile and leather enterprises of the Republic of Belarus.

It is also planned to consider the possibility of creating joint ventures for the production of furniture in our country together with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and the Bellesbuprom concern, establishing long-term cooperation to equip tourist centers of the Samarkand and Tashkent regions with wooden houses.

In addition, meetings of the business circles of the two countries in the “B2B” and “B2G” formats were organized at the event. Open dialogues made it possible to clearly identify mutually beneficial areas, including the development of promising projects and agreements, as well as create an effective format for interaction between the business circles of Uzbekistan and Belarus.

During the meeting, a ceremony was held to sign the action plan of this Business Council. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan expressed its readiness to fully implement the action plan for 2024 and expressed confidence in achieving practical results.

There are 186 enterprises with Belarusian capital operating in Uzbekistan, including 65 joint ventures and 121 individual entrepreneurs. In turn, there are 100 enterprises with Uzbek capital operating in Belarus.

For 11 months of 2023, trade turnover amounted to US$570 million (+19 percent). In particular, exports – US$114.7 million (2.7%), imports – US$455.0 million (24.2%).

The main export goods of Uzbekistan: textile products (38%), fresh and processed agricultural products (31%), non-ferrous metals and products made from them (10%), chemical products, among others. plastics (3%), automobiles (3.1%) and services (5.2%).

Main import goods of Uzbekistan: food (37%), wood and wood products (18%), machinery and equipment (20%), petroleum products (5.5%), pharmaceuticals (4%), ferrous metals and metal products (2.3%).