The First Deputy Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade, Director General of the Agency for Strategic Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov met with the Head of the Division of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for work with the countries of Eurasia William Thompson.
Uzbekistan currently maintains active cooperation with the OECD in several areas that meet the interests of the republic in countering and combating corruption, expanding trade and economic cooperation with OECD countries, increasing competitiveness and attracting investment, transport connectivity, green economy, and improving the credit rating of the Republic according to the OECD classification.
As the Head of the Strategic Development agency, Laziz Kudratov, noted at the meeting, “Cooperation in the fight against corruption is carried out within the framework of the Istanbul Action Plan, which Uzbekistan joined in March 2010. Uzbekistan’s delegations regularly take part in relevant events organized by the OECD. Participates in the work of the Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. To expand trade and economic cooperation with the OECD countries, the delegations of the Republic of Uzbekistan take part in the annual International Forum “Eurasia Week”, which organizes seminars, presentations, business forums, and negotiations with companies of the OECD member states. During the events, foreign companies are provided with detailed information about the economic and investment potential of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the favorable investment and business climate created in the country, as well as promising cooperation projects in the export of Uzbek products and the implementation of joint high-tech industries in the Republic of Uzbekistan.”
During the meeting, the parties discussed the implementation of all joint projects and prospects for expanding multifaceted cooperation. In particular, the OECD presented the results of work on the project “Development of digital literacy to increase the competitiveness of the private sector in Uzbekistan” and “Improving trade connectivity in Central Asia and monitoring the legal environment of entrepreneurship”.
– Within the framework of the project on the legal environment for business, Uzbekistan in 2019 was included in the OECD FDI Regulatory Restrictively Index, which monitors and regulates the restrictions on foreign direct investment in 22 sectors of the economy. Uzbekistan is currently at the average level of the OECD countries and is ahead of other Central Asian countries.
The OECD will continuously monitor the country’s improvements and initiate regular reports of Uzbekistan for other Central Asian countries and OECD member countries at the organization’s events, – William Thompson, Head of the OECD Division for Work with Eurasian Countries
At the same time, the issue of Uzbekistan’s preparation for participation in the Eurasia Week-2022 in Tbilisi (Georgia), during which it is planned to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This Memorandum is aimed at cooperation in the field of public administration and the fight against corruption, employment and social integration, investment, the business environment and other areas of economic policy.
Following the meeting, the parties on expanding bilateral cooperation and implementing new joint projects aimed at socio-economic development and improving business conditions in the republic.
The press office of the Strategic Development Agency
