BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
Austria plans to develop cooperation with Uzbekistan in the renewable energy sector, especially focusing on wind, solar, hydro, and organic (biomass) energy, the representative of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria told Trend.
In addition, the ministry noted that Austria plans to focus on implementing projects in other sectors of Uzbekistan’s economy such as agriculture and food processing, automotive and railway technology, building and construction, oil and gas, chemical industry, pharmaceuticals, as well as information and telecommunication technologies (ICT), healthcare and spa, recreation.
Relating Uzbekistan’s obtaining of the beneficiary status of European Union Generalized System of Preferences (GSP+), the representative of the ministry said that Austria advocates and supports Uzbekistan’s accession to the GSP+ system, as this system fosters human rights, good governance as well as improvements in labor and environmental standards, which are essential elements for sustainable development.
Also, commenting on how GSP+ status will affect the cooperation between Austria and Uzbekistan, the source outlined that Uzbekistan’s exports to the EU and thus, to Austria, will be facilitated.
Furthermore, the ministry said that Austria’s cooperation focuses on investments in modernizing infrastructure and improving financing conditions in order to bring trade and economic cooperation with Uzbekistan to a qualitatively new level.
“There are regular meetings of the high-level intergovernmental economic commission with the participation of the business community, as well as organized and assisted exchanges of business delegations,” the source in the ministry said.
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