His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Faris Al Mazrouei, the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, led a delegation representing the United Arab Emirates at the Fourth Tashkent International Investment Forum in Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent. The forum was inaugurated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and saw participation from high-ranking officials, including heads of state and prime ministers from Central Asia and Europe, as well as senior representatives from international organizations.
During the session, President Mirziyoyev emphasized his country’s dedication to creating an equitable and attractive investment atmosphere through significant legislative reforms, the establishment of a national investment fund valued at approximately $2 billion, and the introduction of incentive systems that ensure fairness for both local and foreign investors.
He also highlighted the importance of the transportation and logistics sector as a key driver of the national economy, noting the growing private investment in this field and showcasing Samarkand, Namangan, and Bukhara airports as vital examples of ongoing development.
The aim of this year’s forum is to present available investment opportunities in Uzbekistan, particularly in the energy, agriculture, industry, tourism, and infrastructure sectors. This edition has attracted over 7,500 participants from 100 countries, including around 3,000 distinguished guests.
For the first time at the forum, a national exhibition was organized to showcase the local industrial and investment capacities, featuring more than 90 Uzbek companies.
Additionally, on the sidelines of the forum, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with His Excellency Suhail Al Mazrouei, along with the accompanying delegation and the UAE Ambassador to Tashkent, Dr. Saeed Matar Al Qamzi.
His Excellency conveyed greetings from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, as well as Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, to President Mirziyoyev, expressing wishes for further progress and prosperity for Uzbekistan and its friendly people.
During the meeting, they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations across several vital areas, including renewable energy, infrastructure, and logistics services, while reviewing significant joint projects between the two nations. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic ties and expanding cooperation.
The following day, His Excellency Suhail Al Mazrouei held a roundtable meeting with His Excellency Jamshid Kuchkarov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, engaging officials and investors from both the public and private sectors. This session served as a key platform for enhancing economic collaboration and broadening partnership opportunities, covering various areas including the new economy, technology, energy, agriculture, food security, infrastructure, and the financial and banking sectors.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency emphasized that the UAE is one of Uzbekistan’s leading trading partners, urging for enhanced investment partnerships and the development of joint initiatives that support economic integration. He called for stimulating the investment climate, streamlining business procedures, developing regulations, and fostering communication channels among entrepreneurs and investors, alongside cooperation between the public and private sectors.
He also highlighted promising investment opportunities across priority sectors, such as artificial intelligence, technology and innovation, renewable energy, tourism and aviation, agriculture and food security, infrastructure, and the financial and banking sectors.
At the conclusion of the roundtable, both parties signed several memorandums of understanding and investment agreements between governmental and private institutions from the UAE and Uzbekistan, reaffirming their commitment to advancing economic cooperation towards higher levels of partnership and sustainable development.
The UAE delegation comprised representatives and senior officials from several governmental and private entities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi Ports Group, DP World, Union Water and Electricity Company, Masdar, Acwa Power, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, 40capital, IFFCO, Barlgel Holding Group, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Serdal Holding, Metito, AIM, Global Foundation, and Wizz Air.