June 16 this year was marked by the IV meeting of Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation via video-conferencing co-headed by Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan S. Umurzakov and Minister for Development and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Finland Ville Skinnari.

During the meeting, the participants reviewed the progress and prospects for the development of bilateral relations in investment, trade, economic, financial, technical, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, defined short-term top priorities provided certain proposals to enhance further joint work.

The parties exchanged their views on measures combating the coronavirus and reducing its negative impact on the economies of the two countries. Here, they emphasized the significance of inter-country cooperation and exchange of experience in effectively responding to a pandemic while observing sanitary and epidemiological requirements and maintaining social and economic activity.  

They analysed business environment in Uzbekistan and Finland and disclosed main guidelines for the further development of trade, economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.

It is generally agreed that the investment sphere is marked by significant potential in such areas as information and communication technologies, pharmaceuticals, fish farming, agriculture, and innovation. In view of this, the heads of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade and relevant industry departments from the Uzbek side, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, specific agencies and organizations of Finland on the promotion of trade, business, and innovation (Business Finland, Finnpartnership), leading Finnish manufacturers (Nokia), as well as chambers of commerce and industry of the two countries, provided detailed information on potential directions and initiatives of cooperation between the business circles of the two countries.

The parties particularly noted the positive dynamics in financial and technical cooperation. The Government of Finland was thanked for contributing EUR 1 million to the UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region. Here they also considered the prospects of partnership expansion through establishment of contacts with financial institutions and agencies of Finland.

The discussion also touched upon certain tools for cooperation with top officials of the Finnish National Agency for Education and the University of Applied Sciences of Finland in the light of joint projects in Uzbekistan using the best practices of the Finnish education system.

A hot topic of inter-country dialogue was cooperation in public employment. The parties exchanged their experience in the targeted programs and initiatives, as well as discussed relevant prospects for collaboration.

The meeting resulted in key agreements that clearly and seamlessly define the areas for direct interaction, as well as scheduled specific projects and initiatives forming a 'headstart' for long-term cooperation.