Uzbekistan, Qatar eye to strengthen cooperation in tourism field

On October 2, Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the presidential press service reported.

The parties discussed the expansion of interstate dialogue, trade, economic, and investment cooperation. The heads of both countries noted the intensification of contacts and the start of work on a number of joint business initiatives.

Businesses of both countries are ready to increase trade volumes. It is planned to implement investment projects in the fields of “green” energy, petrochemicals, metalworking, construction, agriculture, tourism and other areas.

To expand business ties, it was proposed to organize an intergovernmental commission, a business council, and a business forum between Uzbekistan and Qatar. The first meetings of all three structures are planned to be held in January in Doha.

In addition, Uzbekistan expressed interest in joint research with Qatari scientific institutions and universities in the fields of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy sources. Another topic of conversation was support for the Trans-Afghan Railway project.

Following the meeting, the parties signed a number of bilateral documents and agreements, including:

intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of tourism and business events;
memorandum of investment cooperation between the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan and the Qatar Investment Agency;
a memorandum of understanding between the chambers of commerce and industry of Uzbekistan and Qatar, as well as an agreement on the creation of a bilateral business council.