Uzbekistan and Europe: Opportunities and Prospects for Expansion of Economic Partnership

GENEVA, October 5 /PRNewswire/ –

– International Round Table

The potential for deeper economic ties between Uzbekistan and Europe were
discussed at an international round table in Geneva, at the Palais des
Nations, last Thursday October 1, 2009.

The event was initiated by the head of the Permanent Mission of
Uzbekistan to the United Nations office in Geneva, Ambassador Gulnara
Karimova. The idea of the conference also received positive support from
other United Nations institutions (UNCTAD, UNECE) and the International Trade
Centre.

The round table was structured in three thematic sessions, focussing on
the Uzbek and European experience in diversification of national economies,
the role of energy, transport and trade in their economic development and the
investment opportunities Uzbekistan offers to European businesses.

UN Secretary General Deputy, UNECE Executive Secretary Mr. Jan Kubis and
UNCTAD Secretary General Mr. Supachai Panitchpakdi opened the conference
following the Ambassador Karimova. UNCTAD and UNECE both expressed their
delight at working together to help promote trade and FDI both in and out of
Uzbekistan and thier focus was on sustainable and green investment for the
future.

The event was well attended with senior representatives from many
countries and many business sectors. All the participants expressed a genuine
interest in building stronger EU – Uzbekistan relations and the business
sector were additionally interested in following business opportunities
within Uzbekistan and a trade trip in spring 2010 is now under consideration.
Strong focus on infrastructure, energy resources and geographic positioning -
were the underlining issues.

UNCTAD stressed the developments in Public private partnership and
enterpreneurial partnership in Uzbekistan and supported a revision of
Investment policy, while the World Bank representatives were focussing on
water security, energy sectors issues and positively supported the opening up
of the Uzbekistan – EU business integration procedures in general.

The Ambassador Gulnara Karimova brought forward an idea of establishing
European Business Society or Community in Uzbekistan which was widely
received. UNECE and UNCTAD strongly supported the idea and pledged for its
development. The Ambassador Karimova received wide praise for her vision and
determination to bring changes in the process of cross Europe business.

The round table was held with the support of other Uzbek public and
specialized institutions also initiated and lead by Ambassador Karimova,
Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Foundation and the Centre for
Political Studies.

About:

Ambassador Gulnara Karimova – Uzbekistan permanent representative in UN
European office in Geneva, Forum of culture and art of Uzbekistan Foundation
Board of Trustees Chairperson, initiator and founder of Social Initiatives
Support Fund, Centre for Political Studies, she is famous in her own country
with a great number of high-profile economical, social, cultural, arts and
charity projects. Gulnara Karimova patronizes five public associations and
non-governmental foundations supporting children, youth and professionals in
their personal and career development, providing grants and micro-credits for
women, initiating country-wide projects on social infrastructure development
in rural areas, and many other significant activities.

http://www.gulnarakarimova.com

Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan Foundation – established in 2004
and it’s the biggest public Uzbek organization that has been rapidly
extending its activities to an international level. The foundation has
offices in Tashkent, Moscow, Beijing, Tokyo, Paris, Geneva and Vienna. It
established cultural contacts with important partners in Russia, Egypt,
China, Japan, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
Nowadays, it organizes exhibitions of Uzbek Art and Culture around the world
and extended its areas of interest to projects that include also the economic
development and the funding of scholarships and donations for scientific
research, sport and education. Until now, 2,3 million of people benefitted
from the activities by Fund Forum. The foundation activities are also based
on cooperation agreements with UNESCO, British Council, UNICEF, JICA and many
other respected world non-government organizations.

http://www.fundforum.uz

SOURCE Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan to the United Nations