On March 23, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received international consultants – Alfred Gusenbauer, Aleksander Kwaśniewski and Štefan Füle.

The main task of the group of international consultants is to assist in the development and enhancement of multifaceted cooperation of Uzbekistan with the EU countries, study and implementation of advanced foreign experience in promoting the reform program, improving the investment climate and business environment, attracting direct investment and advanced technologies in the economy of Uzbekistan, forming effective mechanisms and instruments of partnership with the European business community.

It should be noted that consultants who in different years held high government posts, today enjoy great international prestige among European official, business and public circles, have significant experience in leading consulting, investment and industrial companies.

Alfred Gusenbauer, Founder of Gusenbauer Projektentwicklung & Beteiligung consulting company, worked as Federal Chancellor of Austria in the 2000s. Aleksander Kwaśniewski, Head of the Amicus Europae Foundation, was the President of Poland. Štefan Füle, Advisor to CITIC Europe Holdings, has successfully served as the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy.

An open and constructive exchange of views took place on the current issues of reforming and institutional development of Uzbekistan.

The guests appreciated and expressed full support for the transformation program carried out in Uzbekistan. The achievements and concrete results of the socio-economic policy implemented in the country in the difficult conditions of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as noticeable progress in the integration of Uzbekistan into global and regional economic processes, were emphasized.

The recommendations of consultants on the preparation of a long-term strategy of economic reforms and further improvement of the system of public administration in the country, expansion of mutually beneficial relations of Uzbekistan with foreign partners were considered.

The main attention was paid to increasing transparency and improving the investment climate, the widespread introduction of market mechanisms and the formation of a competitive environment, the development of the banking and financial sector and the capital market in the country.

The consultants also noted that due to the consistent transformation of the economy and the increase in its openness to foreign capital, large-scale opportunities are formed for building up investment and innovation cooperation with the EU countries.

The priority nature of the issues of maintaining the current high level of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU, strengthening mutually beneficial ties and filling them with practical content, the adoption of an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, as well as support for Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO was confirmed.

The mechanisms of interaction in trade liberalization and elimination of barriers preventing the growth of mutual trade and investment, and ensuring market access were also considered.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue close cooperation and active exchanges. The priority tasks and the format of practical interaction for the near future have been agreed upon.

Source: UzA