Uzbekistan, Russia sign business agreements worth $3.5 billion

Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as part of his official visit to Russia, met with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the presidential press service reported.

The main topic of conversation was the bilateral economic agenda. The head of the Russian government noted an increase in mutual trade turnover in the first seven months from the beginning of the year by 14.5% – to 470 billion rubles or 58 trillion soums ($4.75 billion).

Companies from the two countries are implementing joint projects in energy, agriculture, transport, and the digital economy. Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, and the Ural regions are among the leading regions of the Russian Federation in developing relations with Uzbekistan, Mishustin added.

In turn, Mirziyoyev highlighted the holding of the third forum of interregional cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan in Kazan. As a result, agreements worth $3.5 billion were signed.

Plans for implementing joint projects on the digitalization of healthcare and education were discussed at the negotiations. The parties also considered the introduction of electronic commerce in Uzbekistan with Russian participation.

Mirziyoyev and Mishustin noted the potential for further expansion of partnership between the regions of the two countries. An agreement was reached on the exchange of experience in the field of urban planning – in particular, housing renovation.

The President of Uzbekistan also raised the topic of creating a joint development fund. “It is necessary today, because in fact we have serious intentions in cooperation with Russia. In this difficult time, we need to cooperate,” Mirziyoyev said.