Trade turnover between Russia and Uzbekistan has grown by 300% in the past two years, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Russia Bakhtiyor Islamov said on a visit to Russia’s Chelyabinsk Region, RIA Novosti reported.

"The two countries’ trade and economic relations are on the rise today. They have signed four documents on cooperation in two years, which sent their trade turnover up four-fold," the ambassador said.

In particular, he mentioned Uzbekistan’s trade with the Chelyabinsk Region which amounted to US$84 million in 2006, and reached US$73 million in January through June 2007.

"Both sides have vast resources for developing cooperation," said Chelyabinsk Governor Pyotr Sumin at his official meeting with the ambassador.

The South Urals is interested in attracting professionals from Uzbekistan, Sumin said. "Our mechanical engineering companies are short of qualified personnel. The ambassador will negotiate on the issue with the regional migration service later this week," he added.

During his visit, Mr. Islamov will visit a number of South Urals mechanical engineering plants. He has shown interest in the proposal by the Ust-Katav Railway Carriage Plant to produce trams for Uzbekistan, the governor’s press office reported, quoting the ambassador’s statement.