Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 15
By Demir Azizov - Trend:
The potential of cooperation in transport, transit and air transport was noted by the members of a Latvian delegation during the two-day Uzbek-Latvian business forum held in Tashkent on November 13-14, the Ministry for Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan told Trend.
According to the statement, in particular the delegation headed by the Latvian Minister of Transport Anrijs Matisse offered Uzbek businessmen the use of the Latvian transit corridor for exports of Uzbek goods to the EU, Scandinavia and third countries.
In this area, Latvia intends to provide not only transportation, but also storage, distribution of fruit, vegetables and other goods from Uzbekistan to Northern Europe using the Latvian transport infrastructure and logistics solutions.
According to the ministry, the business forum was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of Uzbekistan with a view to expanding Uzbek-Latvian trade, economic and investment cooperation. It was attended by the heads of ministries and departments, companies and concerns of the two countries responsible for external economic relations, trade, investment, transport and communications, logistics, banking and financial community, food, pharmaceutical and textile industries.
Uzbek Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade Elyor Ganiev said in his speech at the forum that cooperation between Uzbekistan and Latvia is developing in all area and an important legal basis for this are the agreements reached during the meeting of the two presidents.
A visit of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to Latvia in October 2013 and the documents signed during the visit in the field of transport and cargo transit, expansion of trade relations and environmental protection are an important factor in further strengthening the mutually beneficial partnership.
In 2012, trade turnover between the two countries increased by almost 20 per cent and exceeded $246 million and in January-June 2013 it amounted to $126 million.
Uzbekistan supplies Latvia with high quality cotton fibre, motor oil, pharmaceuticals and other products. Latvia exports to Uzbekistan equipment, vehicles, plastics and provides logistics services.