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Session of the Uzbek-British Trade and Industry Council was held in London
The 16th Session of the Uzbek-British Trade and Industry Council (UBTIC) was held on 25 November 2009 in the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London. The event was attended by a high level delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, headed by the Deputy Prime-minister, Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade HE Mr. Elyor Ganiev.
The delegation also included heads of the Ministry of Economy, Association “Uzeltehsanoat” (electro technical industry), SJSC "Uzkimesanoat” (chemical industry), NHC “Uzbekneftegaz” (oil and gas industry), Uzbek Agency for Communication and Informatization, “Uzinfoinvest” Agency, representatives of MFER and the Embassy of Uzbekistan in London.
British side was represented by UBTIC’s Co-chairman Dr.Hartley Booth, senior officials of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Department of Trade and Investment, as well as approximately 100 representatives of business, parliamentary and expert circles.
UBTIC is the main bilateral forum designed to promote trade and investment relations between Uzbekistan and the United Kingdom. Council meetings are held annually, alternately in Tashkent and London.
The agenda of the 16th Session of UBTIC encompassed a wide range of topics, in particular, presentation of new investment opportunities in Uzbekistan, including in the Free Industrial Economic Zone “Navoi”, current state and prospects of cooperation in the energy, mining, chemical and electrical industries, production of construction materials, processing of fruits and vegetables, the implementation of CDM projects, as well as the areas of tourism, high-tech information technologies and telecommunications.
Members of the Uzbek delegation made extensive presentations on these issues, as well as the achievements of the socio-economic development of Uzbekistan. During the discussions, participants were also briefed on the real causes of Uzbekistan's decision to withdraw from the United Energy System of Central Asia.
UBTIC’s Co-chairman Dr.H.Booth drew attention to the unprecedented high number of participants of this meeting, particularly the involvement of a number of major British and international companies. "This is an indication of recognition of the success of economic development model of Uzbekistan, as well as the desire to develop mutually beneficial and fruitful economic cooperation with Uzbekistan."
He welcomed the Session’s participants on behalf of the British Government and delivered a message from the Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Business Lord Davis of Abersoch CBE, which states: "Business climate between our two countries is improving and I am delighted that so many representatives of business circles participate in UBTIC and intend to invest. I wish them success in their activities and endeavors".
Chairman of the British Parliament’s All-Party Group on Central Asia Lord Waverley noted that Uzbekistan has played a key role in the region of strategic importance, and can make a big contribution to solving regional and global issues. Pointing to the importance of establishing long-term investment cooperation and the role of UBTIC in this regard, he also noted the importance of support from the government. Lord reported on the establishment of British-Uzbekistan group in Parliament under his leadership, and expressed his intention to visit Uzbekistan in the near future.
Chairman of the Cambridge Central Asia Forum Dr. Siddharth Saxena made emphasis on the presence of a huge intellectual potential and professional resources, as one of the most important factors for the success of investment projects in Uzbekistan. "In this regard, your country has an indisputable advantage over many developing markets. When people talk about the introduction of foreign standards in Uzbekistan, I would say the opposite - many Uzbek standards in the field of science and education should be introduced and exported abroad".
From the UK side representatives of such companies as Worley Parsons, Tethys Petroleum, Great Silk Way Resources, Oxus Gold, Continuum, Denton Wilde Sapte, CB Richard Ellis, Mortimer Properties, Info Stor, Albemarle Company and Frontier Advisers also made their presentations. They highly appreciated the economic potential of Uzbekistan and expressed interest in expanding business and increasing investment in our country.
Along with the UBTIC session, the Uzbek delegation held meetings with HRH Prince Michael of Kent, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Mr. Chris Bryant MP, as well as a number of UK and international companies and banks, during which a wide range of current and future avenues of cooperation were discussed.
The venue of the UBTIC session
UBTIC Co-chairmen HE Mr Ganiev and Dr Booth
(3rd and 4th from the left) with Uzbek delegation
British participants of the UBTIC session
HE Mr Ganiev (centre) and President of British-Uzbek Society Lord Ponsonby (right)
Presentation by David Robson from Tethys Petroleum
