Uzbekistan, Tashkent, April 4 / Trend D. Azizov /
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Masagos Zulkifli, discussed prospects for developing Uzbek-Singapore relations and cooperation in international organisations, primarily within the United Nations, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
During the talks both sides noted the presence of common positions on international and regional issues.
Considerable attention was paid to the deepening of investment, inter-bank cooperation and expansion of mutual trade. It was noted that trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Singapore in 2011 exceeded $101 million.
However, the presence of highly skilled specialists, huge reserves of natural resources, technology, investment and financial capacity represents a significant, but unused potential of mutually beneficial cooperation in the economic field.
Currently there are contacts between business representatives of both countries in the textile, electrical, pharmaceutical, automotive and chemical industries. Participation of leading Singaporean companies in the implementation of long term significant projects in the key sectors of the economy of Uzbekistan is being worked out.
The sides expressed mutual interest in the exchange of delegations of culture and art workers and forging closer ties in science and education.
The same day, the Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan held a second round of Uzbek-Singapore political consultations which were a continuation of the previous stage which took place in December 2010 in Singapore.
Following the talks, both sides signed an intergovernmental agreement on abolishing visas for holders of diplomatic passports, and Memoranda of Understanding between the Academy of State and Social Construction under the President of Uzbekistan and the Singapore Civil Service College, between the Environmental Movement of Uzbekistan and the Environmental Council of Singapore, a statement said.
According to experts, this mechanism of permanent contacts allows foreign ministries to monitor on a regular basis implementation of agreements reached during the visit of President of Uzbekistan to Singapore in 2007, to exchange views on important international and regional issues.