Fergana and Thuringia Regions Agree to Expand Economic Cooperation

The Fergana region of Uzbekistan and the Minsk region of Belarus have reached an agreement to expand interregional interaction in the fields of trade, economic relations, investment, and production.

According to the press service of the Fergana Region Hokimiyat, several documents aimed at developing direct ties and launching new joint projects were signed after a meeting of regional leaders.

On September 24, the Hokim of the Fergana Region, Khayrullo Bozorov, received a delegation from the Minsk region led by Alexey Kushnarenko, Chairman of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee. The discussion covered prospects for economic and trade partnership, as well as industrial cooperation.

Bozorov noted that the visit of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to Belarus on July 8–9 at the invitation of Alexander Lukashenko gave a new impetus to relations between the two countries.

Participants discussed opportunities for direct cooperation between the regions, taking into account the complementary economic potential of the Fergana and Minsk regions. Representatives of both sides presented the capabilities of their territories in agriculture, industry, trade, tourism, and social spheres.

The Fergana region has potential in textile production, growing and processing fruits and vegetables, industrial production, and human resource provision. In turn, the Minsk region possesses experience in agricultural technologies, animal husbandry, mechanical engineering, and the production of modern equipment.

According to Alexey Kushnarenko, Uzbekistan is one of the important partners of the Minsk region. The parties noted that bilateral trade this year reached 150 million US dollars, which is 28% higher than last year's figure.

The Belarusian delegation included representatives of executive committees, specialists in education, healthcare, and agriculture, as well as heads of enterprises and organizations. The visit program included visits to various centers and enterprises, as well as discussions on investment projects.

After the meeting, the parties identified promising areas for cooperation, including light industry, mechanical engineering, agriculture, and tourism. Projects that have already moved to the stage of practical implementation were also reviewed.

The parties separately proposed that the Volozhin and Fergana districts develop a joint action plan within three months based on the previously concluded friendship treaty. This document provides for interaction and exchange in economic, cultural, and educational fields.

At the end of the negotiations, the Fergana and Minsk regions signed a memorandum on interregional cooperation. An agreement on friendly relations was also concluded between the Volozhin and Fergana districts. Furthermore, another memorandum was signed between the Minsk branch of the Belgorod Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Fergana Regional Office of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan.

The administration of the Fergana region reported that the First Deputy Governor of the Fergana region, Mirzohid Ubaidullaev, held a meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union to Uzbekistan, Toivo Klaar, as well as with about ten ambassadors and diplomats from EU member states.

Participants in the meeting noted the stable development of the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and the European Union, emphasizing the importance of increasing direct contacts between the regions.

During the discussion, the potential for interaction between the Fergana region and European countries in the fields of trade and economic relations, investment, industry, tourism, and the social sector was examined.

Particular attention was paid to strengthening interregional cooperation with EU member states, implementing joint investment projects, and effectively utilizing available opportunities.