Radiy Khabirov met with Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov

Today the Head of Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov held a working meeting with the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov. The parties discussed the prospects for further cooperation in industry, including machine building, and agriculture. An important role was paid to strengthen trade and economic relations. The Office of the Representative of Bashkortostan is starting to work under the Russian Trade Representation in Uzbekistan, which will help the business of the republic open new markets. It is planned to expand cooperation in culture, science, education, and tourism.

“Open trusting relations between the President of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev expand the cooperation opportunities between our countries, including interregional ones. Based on the results of all meetings and negotiations, the first session of our working group will be held to plan further steps in the interaction between Uzbekistan and Bashkortostan,” Radiy Khabirov posted on his social media.

“Special emphasis is laid on the interregional cooperation,” the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov said. “I want to note our mutual interest in deepening trade and economic cooperation, industrial cooperation, and cultural and humanitarian interaction between Uzbekistan and Bashkortostan.”

The Head of Bashkortostan, Radiy Khabirov, expressed gratitude to the Uzbek side for the warm welcome of the republican delegation. He noted that it included 96 business representatives from Bashkortostan. They hold b2b meetings with colleagues from Uzbekistan and have already signed a number of agreements.

“We came here to open the doors for business in Bashkortostan and Uzbekistan, to significantly increase the opportunities for interregional and business cooperation. We analyzed our mutual trade turnover in terms of customs statistics. Over the past two years, despite the coronavirus pandemic, it has grown significantly and is about $110-115 million. We believe that the potential of our trade turnover is not fully disclosed. Therefore, we must boldly and confidently set the bar of half a billion dollars and strive for it. To this end, we would like to create a permanent working group, which would include members of the Government of Bashkortostan and representatives of the regions of Uzbekistan,” Radiy Khabirov said.

Uzbekistan ranks 11th with a share of 2.5 percent in the total volume of the republican trade turnover. In 2021, the volume of foreign trade turnover between Bashkortostan and Uzbekistan amounted to $113.3 million, of which 86 percent is export. Bashkortostan exported chemical industry products, rubber, wood and pulp and paper products, metals and metal products, engineering products and other goods. The main import positions from Uzbekistan are metals and products from them, engineering products, food products, textiles and mineral products.

56 enterprises with the participation of Uzbekistan capital operate in Bashkortostan. They are engaged in the areas of trade and catering, construction and utilities, real estate transactions, legal services, food production, furniture, paper products, industrial equipment, metal products, textiles, woodworking and transport.

In the 2021/2022 academic year, about 900 students from Uzbekistan study at the universities of the republic.

Author: Azat Gizzatullin