UKTI is the British Government department that supports UK-based businesses working in international markets, and encourages overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice. Mr Baird was accompanied on his visit by Leigh Turner, Regional Director for Trade and Investment.

The two sides discussed ways of increasing the portfolio of British investments in Uzbekistan, and supporting the growth of the trade relationship between the two countries. On his first visit to Uzbekistan, Mr Baird said ‘we attach great importance to our trade and investment relationship with Uzbekistan, and my visit reflects that importance, as does the recent appointment of senior Member of Parliament the Right Honourable Peter Lilley as the new British co-chair of the Uzbek British Trade and Industry Council’. During his visit, Mr Baird met representatives from a wide range of British companies operating in Uzbekistan.

British companies represented in Uzbekistan include Tethys Petroleum (oil production), Rio Tinto (mining), ITE (exhibitions), WorleyParsons (engineering), GlaxoSmithKline (pharmaceuticals), BAT (tobacco), SNR Denton (legal counselling), Ernst & Young (audit), Wakefield Inspection Services and UzIntertek Testing Service (inspection services), Westminster International University Tashkent and the British School of Tashkent.

The Uzbek-British Trade and Industry Council (UBTIC) will hold its 19th meeting in Tashkent on 25 October.

UBTIC, established in 1994, is the key tool for promoting trade and economic relations between the UK and Uzbekistan. Each country has its own co-Chair. The Rt Hon Mr Peter Lilley MP has recently been appointed to the UK position and Minister of Foreign and Economic Relations Mr Elyor Ganiev is the Uzbek co-Chair. A British business delegation and Uzbek companies will attend UBTIC.