BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 17
By Ilkin Seyfaddini - Trend:
Uzbekistan and Finland are considering expanding bilateral cooperation in economic and cultural spheres, Trend reports citing the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan.
The fourth meeting of the Uzbek-Finnish Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation was held via videoconference on June 16.
The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov and Minister of Development and Foreign Trade of Finland Ville Skinnari.
During the meeting, the current state and prospects of development of bilateral relations in the sphere of investment, trade-economic, financial-technical and cultural-humanitarian interaction were analyzed and priority tasks for the near future were defined.
During the videoconference, review of economic situation in Uzbekistan and Finland was conducted, on the basis of which, the main guidelines in further development of trade-economic and investment cooperation between the two countries was identified.
The investment area is generally viewed as having significant potential in such areas as information and communications technology, pharmaceuticals, fish farming, agriculture and innovation.
In this regard, the heads of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade and relevant sectoral agencies from the Uzbek side, as well as the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Employment and the Economy, relevant agencies and organizations of Finland to promote trade, business and innovation (Business Finland, Finnpartnership), the leading Finnish manufacturers (Nokia), as well as the chambers of commerce and industry of the two countries, provided detailed information on potential areas and initiatives of cooperation between the business communities of the two countries.
The positive trend in financial and technical cooperation was highlighted - the Government of Finland was thanked for contributing 1 million euros to the UN Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea Region.
At the end of the meeting, key agreements were reached, which clearly and consistently define the areas of direct cooperation, as well as specific projects and initiatives to be implemented, forming the basis for long-term cooperation.
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