Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Oct. 7 / Trend D. Azizov /
Italy is ready to accelerate the economic and industrial cooperation with Uzbekistan, Italian deputy minister of economic development Catia Polidori said at the fifth meeting of the Uzbek-Italian Working Group on Trade, Economic and Industrial Cooperation and Export Credits in Tashkent on Friday.
"Italy attaches great importance to the work with the Central Asian countries," she said. "We focus on improving trade and economic relations with each of the Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan."
She emphasized that the contractual basis in economy between the two countries can be described as almost completed. This consists of the agreement "Encouragement and mutual protection of investments", the convention "Avoiding double taxation and prevention of tax evasion on income and capital", the agreement on international transportation and mutual customs assistance and other documents.
According to the Uzbek statistics, the Uzbek-Italian trade turnover hits $151.9 million in 2010, $153.9 million in January-August this year.
The Italian side is interested in the Uzbek energy sector, as well as the textile industry, energy, tourism and other spheres.
Polidori said that Italy promotes and supports Uzbekistan's accession to the WTO.
About 32 companies with Italian capital, including 28 joint ventures and four enterprises with Italian capital operate in Uzbekistan.