OREANDA-NEWS. July 10, 2013. A forum on "Jizzakh Special Industrial Zone - unique investment opportunities for Chinese companies" opened at the International Business Center in Tashkent.

It is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, "Uzinfoinvest" agency together with the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China. It brings together representatives of ministries and departments, the companies of the two countries responsible for such areas as trade, investment, health, energy, oil and gas, information technologies, telecommunications, automotive, food and light industries, construction, transport and transport communications, electrical engineering, leather, and metallurgy.

Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of Uzbekistan E. Ganiev, Minister of Economy G. Saidova, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry A.Shaykhov and others emphasized that the "Uzbek model" of development, initiated by President Islam Karimov, and aimed at implementing large-scale structural transformation attracts great interest in the world today, and emphasized that as a result of the economic reforms a favorable investment environment, a system of large-scale benefits, preferences and guarantees to protect the rights and interests of foreign investors have been formed in the country. Decree of President Islam Karimov "On additional measures to stimulate foreign direct investment" from April 10, 2012 is an important factor in improving the work in this field to a new level. Every year over three billion dollars, mostly foreign direct investments, are attracted to our economy. This demonstrates the growing interest and confidence of foreign investors in our country's economy, the prospects for its development.

"Navoi" Free Industrial Economic Zone and "Angren" special industrial zone play an important role in implementing high-tech projects with foreign capital involvement in our country. In accordance with the Presidential Decree to create "Jizzakh" special industrial zone from March 18, 2013 another industrial area is set up in the region. It aims for an integrated and efficient use of the production and resource potential of the Jizzakh and Syrdarya regions, and on that basis creation of new jobs and increase of incomes. The main objectives of this special industrial zone, established in the country in accordance with a memorandum of understanding on the implementation of the project of the Uzbek-Chinese industrial park, are to create favorable conditions for attracting foreign and domestic investment in the creation of modern high-tech industrial production, ensuring competitive production with high added value.

On the first day of the forum Chinese guests were provided with detailed information about the features and benefits that were created in the Jizzakh special industrial zone.

- China is interested in developing cooperation with Uzbekistan – says Zheng Chaoyang, the deputy mayor of Wenzhou city of Zhejiang Province, China. - Uzbekistan has created all the necessary conditions, the enormous opportunities and preferences for the success of foreign investors. These opportunities will further strengthen economic, trade and investment cooperation, increase the volume of trade between our two countries.

The forum was attended by about three hundred businessmen from leading companies in China, which indicates their high interest in joint projects with Uzbek entrepreneurs in Jizzakh special industrial zone, making investments and further expansion of the long-term and active cooperation with Uzbekistan. In April of this year in four cities in China - Beijing, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shenyang - Uzbek-Chinese investment forums were held. As a result of these activities 54 documents on joint implementation of high-tech investment projects in the "Jizzakh" special industrial zone worth a total of USD300 million in the field of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, pharmaceutical, textile and food industries, production of modern building materials and products from polymers were signed.

The forum participants exchanged views on the future directions of the further development of economic and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and China. The issues of boosting ties in areas such as oil and gas, chemicals, food and light industry, building materials and medical devices, automotive, electrical engineering, pharmaceuticals, as well as the joint development and implementation of mutually beneficial investment projects in these areas were discussed.

Participants visited the branch of the Jizzakh special industrial zone in Syrdarya region, familiarized with the productive potential of the region, business-friendly environment. They also took part in the opening of Peng-Sheng joint venture, producing mobile phones in the Syrdarya region.

21 agreements totaling over USD 100 million, aimed at the implementation joint investment projects in such areas as energy, electronics, telecommunications, textile, machine-building industry and pharmaceuticals at the Jizzakh special industrial zone, were signed during the forum.

The First Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Rustam Azimov spoke at the event.