On April 3 this year, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mr. Umurzakov headed a video conference to discuss the measures for unconditional achievement of the investment and export pre-set targets and mitigation of the coronavirus pandemic negative impact on the economy and the investment climate of the Republic.

Heads of the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Transport, the State Customs Committee, diplomatic missions of Uzbekistan abroad, local authorities of the regions, the city of Tashkent and the Republic of Karakalpakstan participated in the conference.

During the video conference, the conference members discussed the problems that entrepreneurs face in the current conditions, including the risks arising from the epidemiological situation of frustration of export contracts and delays in the investment projects. The Republican Commission for the Development of Export Potential in Regions and Industries during its work in the Khorezm, Ferghana, Andijan, Namangan and Surkhandarya Regions found out that the majority of entrepreneurs had problems.

It was noted that to solve these problems it is necessary to align the work of embassies, relevant ministries and local authorities through the introduction of a fundamentally new, non-standard method of interagency cooperation. In view of the current global epidemiological situation, members highlighted the importance of involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a key body responsible for international cooperation, and also diplomatic missions of Uzbekistan abroad.

Participants identified specific areas where responsible authorities should focus their efforts, including on solving entrepreneurs’ problems associated with restrictions in the transport and logistics sector, dispatching raw materials and foreign specialists to Uzbekistan for timely implementation of investment projects, intensifying interaction with the governments of partner countries, international organizations and international financial institutions in the field of financial, technical and grant cooperation, as well as discussing the investment, trade and economic issues with partner countries to prepare for the high-level visits.

Heads of diplomatic missions were instructed to update the Roadmaps designed to schedule the implementation of agreements reached during the highest- and high-level visits, taking into account the current situation associated with the spread of COVID-19, and to ensure their constant monitoring. Ministries and departments were instructed to continue working efficiently in regions to address the emerging problems of entrepreneurs and exporters.