Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade of Uzbekistan Elyor Ghaniev said that within investment programmes, which envisage implementation of over 500 projects, Uzbekistan plans to attract over US$50 billion of foreign investment in next five years.

Ganiev said Uzbekistan sees Great Britain as important and reliable partner, economic relations with which have great perspectives. He said Uzbekistan is open for expanding international trade volumes, strengthen investment cooperation, including in direct investments of British firms.

Minister underlined that British business should actively enter market in Uzbekistan, including in creation of modern high-technologic, industrial productions, including at Navoi free industrial-economic zone.

In 2009, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Great Britain made up US$173.7 milion. In January-October 2010, the figure reached US$193 million.

Currently, number of enterprises, created in cooperation with British investors, makes up 372. Some 109 British enterprises opened their representative offices in Uzbekistan. The enterprises work in such sectors as food, construction material, processing of agriculture goods, insurance and consulting.

The volume of investment capital, attracted in Uzbekistan, made up 10.8 trillion soums in nine months of 2010, which grew by 8.1% year-on-year on comparable prices. At the same time, the volume of foreign direct investments and credits rose by 15.1% to US$1.8 billion.