Farhod Arziev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to China, spoke to a correspondent from Denmark about the prospects of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the countries and the Initiative’s close interaction with the new development strategy from Uzbekistan.
Ambassador, how do you rate the success of the Belt and Road Initiative?
Farhod Arziev: First of all, I would like to point out that the initiative of the President of the People’s Republic of China on the joint construction of the Belt and Road is of global significance. In a historically short period, the One Belt One Road or Belt and Road program has demonstrated its viability and important role in the development of regional international cooperation, opening up new development opportunities for the countries participating in this program. Today, the role of the Belt and Road regionally and globally is becoming increasingly evident and relevant, especially given the importance of an early post-pandemic recovery of the global economy. .
Uzbekistan has become one of the first countries to support the Belt and Road Initiative. What prospects await us?
Farhod Arziev: We are actively participating and supporting this initiative, implementing a number of projects with China and other partners. This allows us to increase the volume of trade cooperation and economic investment and build new production and supply chains, diversifying the routes for transporting goods. I would like to note separately that the development of transport and communication links, the formation of new transport corridors, which are directly related to the construction of the Belt and Road, are of great importance to us. In this context, I would like to highlight a very important project – the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. You know that at the SCO summit in Samarkand a trilateral agreement was reached and a document was signed on the further implementation of this project. Today, we are actively and systematically implementing these agreements, in close cooperation with the Chinese side and with our Kyrgyz partners. The implementation of the project is of great importance, as it will open up new opportunities in trade, economy, investment and other areas of cooperation between our countries.
Uzbekistan’s participation in the OBOR program also affects other important areas – tourism, health, cultural and humanitarian exchanges. I would also like to add that the investment projects we are implementing with the participation of Chinese partners contribute to the development of the national economy and technological upgrading. We see great prospects in using China’s potential as one of the world leaders in the field of digitalization and we are implementing many projects in this direction in Uzbekistan.
It is very symbolic that the first summit, the first meeting at the level of heads of state in the “China-Central Asia” format, is being held in the historic and ancient city of Xi’an. We know that it is from here that the great Silk Road originates, this city is a living embodiment of the links between our peoples, between our countries that go back centuries.
Undoubtedly, the summit will be a historic event and will bring new opportunities to our countries. Participating countries will begin to develop a strategy for a new “Central Asia-China” economic dialogue. This initiative was proposed by the President of Uzbekistan during the online summit of Central Asia and China leaders in January last year. At the summit, it is planned to create multilateral cooperation mechanisms within the framework of various ministries and industries. Another important event within the framework of the summit will be the launch of the Year of Culture and Art of the Peoples of Central Asia and China, which was also proposed by the President of Uzbekistan in order to expand and strengthen cultural and humanitarian ties between our countries.
In what directions and how is trade and economic cooperation between China and Uzbekistan developing?
Farhod Arziev: China ranks first among Uzbekistan’s trading partners. Last year, for example, the trade turnover between our countries was around 9 billion dollars. We expect that this year we will reach ten billion dollars in our bilateral trade. We see China as an important and promising market for Uzbek products. China is a very important potential investment partner for us.
Chinese direct investments are present in many sectors of the economy of Uzbekistan, among which the chemical industry, the oil and gas industry, construction materials, pharmaceuticals, the agricultural sector, light industry and others. The number of Chinese companies participating in the implementation of major investment and infrastructure projects is increasing. More than 150 new projects developed with the participation of Uzbek and Chinese enterprises are in the phase of their practical implementation. Another important area of cooperation is poverty reduction. In this sense, we are working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China.
During the next visit, one of the bilateral documents to be signed will be an agreement on the creation of a new subcommittee on poverty reduction within the intergovernmental committee on cooperation between Uzbekistan and China.
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