OREANDA-NEWS. January 25, 2007. Trade between Russia and Uzbekistan grew by 40% to reach USD 4,2 billion in 2007, reported Russia's ambassador to Uzbekistan, reported the press-centre of UZINFOINVEST.

Farit Mukhametshin said the main fields of cooperation included trade, energy, the food industry, finance, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, the pharmaceutical industry, and other spheres.

"The number of joint ventures set up in Uzbekistan with Russian investments is over 500," Mukhametshin said.

The ambassador also said Russia and Uzbekistan had effectively collaborated in social, cultural, educational, humanitarian and other fields.

In 2006, mutual trade between Russia and Uzbekistan was around USD 3 billion.