OREANDA-NEWS. On July 14, 2009 A delegation of Uzbekistan led by the Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade Mr. Elyor Ganiev visited Slovak Republic and attended the Uzbek-Slovak Business Forum.

The State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of Slovak Republic Mr. Pavol Kristof participated at the event.

Pavol Kristof said the meeting was held in the period when economies of separate states are in recession and under enormous pressure of global financial-economic crisis.

Kristof said he expects that the business forum will contribute to the beginning of active cooperation between Slovak Republic and Uzbekistan. He said the Ministry of Economy of Slovak Republic is for development of economic relations at all levels with the prospective Central Asian region, including Uzbekistan.

Slovak official said Slovak Republic can share its experience with the Uzbek partners on construction, supply of technology and equipment for energy sector, engineering and electronics industries. He said the sides can establish cooperation in automobile industry, agriculture and environment protection.

During the forum, the Ministry of Economy of Slovak Republic and Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade signed the memorandum of scientific-technical and economic cooperation.

Business entities of both countries held negotiations. Uzbekistan prepared over 330 projects for USD 400 million to the Slovak counterparts. The projects are in such sectors as transport, infrastructure, energy, education, etc.

Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Slovak Republic comprised 15.2 million euros in 2008. The export of Slovak Republic grew 20.4% year-on-year to 6.4 million euros in 2008. Imports comprised 8.8 million euros or grew by 71.3% year-on-year.