Uzbekistan and Europe: Opportunities and Prospects for Expansion of Economic Partnership

GENEVA -

- International Round Table

The potential for deeper economic ties between Uzbekistan and Europe were discussed at an international round table in Geneva, at the Palais des Nations, last Thursday October 1, 2009.

The event was initiated by the head of the Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan to the United Nations office in Geneva, Ambassador Gulnara Karimova. The idea of the conference also received positive support from other United Nations institutions (UNCTAD, UNECE) and the International Trade Centre.

The round table was structured in three thematic sessions, focussing on the Uzbek and European experience in diversification of national economies, the role of energy, transport and trade in their economic development and the investment opportunities Uzbekistan offers to European businesses.

UN Secretary General Deputy, UNECE Executive Secretary Mr. Jan Kubis and UNCTAD Secretary General Mr. Supachai Panitchpakdi opened the conference following the Ambassador Karimova. UNCTAD and UNECE both expressed their delight at working together to help promote trade and FDI both in and out of Uzbekistan and thier focus was on sustainable and green investment for the future.

The event was well attended with senior representatives from many countries and many business sectors. All the participants expressed a genuine interest in building stronger EU - Uzbekistan relations and the business sector were additionally interested in following business opportunities within Uzbekistan and a trade trip in spring 2010 is now under consideration. Strong focus on infrastructure, energy resources and geographic positioning - were the underlining issues.

UNCTAD stressed the developments in Public private partnership and enterpreneurial partnership in Uzbekistan and supported a revision of Investment policy, while the World Bank representatives were focussing on water security, energy sectors issues and positively supported the opening up of the Uzbekistan - EU business integration procedures in general.

The Ambassador Gulnara Karimova brought forward an idea of establishing European Business Society or Community in Uzbekistan which was widely received. UNECE and UNCTAD strongly supported the idea and pledged for its development. The Ambassador Karimova received wide praise for her vision and determination to bring changes in the process of cross Europe business.

The round table was held with the support of other Uzbek public and specialized institutions also initiated and lead by Ambassador Karimova, Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Foundation and the Centre for Political Studies.

About:

Ambassador Gulnara Karimova - Uzbekistan permanent representative in UN European office in Geneva, Forum of culture and art of Uzbekistan Foundation Board of Trustees Chairperson, initiator and founder of Social Initiatives Support Fund, Centre for Political Studies, she is famous in her own country with a great number of high-profile economical, social, cultural, arts and charity projects. Gulnara Karimova patronizes five public associations and non-governmental foundations supporting children, youth and professionals in their personal and career development, providing grants and micro-credits for women, initiating country-wide projects on social infrastructure development in rural areas, and many other significant activities.

www.gulnarakarimova.com

Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan Foundation - established in 2004 and it’s the biggest public Uzbek organization that has been rapidly extending its activities to an international level. The foundation has offices in Tashkent, Moscow, Beijing, Tokyo, Paris, Geneva and Vienna. It established cultural contacts with important partners in Russia, Egypt, China, Japan, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Nowadays, it organizes exhibitions of Uzbek Art and Culture around the world and extended its areas of interest to projects that include also the economic development and the funding of scholarships and donations for scientific research, sport and education. Until now, 2,3 million of people benefitted from the activities by Fund Forum. The foundation activities are also based on cooperation agreements with UNESCO, British Council, UNICEF, JICA and many other respected world non-government organizations.

www.fundforum.uz

Source: Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan to the United Nations

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