As part of his official visit to Japan, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on December 19 held a meeting with the heads of leading Japanese companies, financial institutions, and business associations.
The event was attended by Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa, as well as top managers of Sojitz, Sumitomo, Toyota, ITOCHU, Mitsubishi, Marubeni, Daito Trust Construction, NEC, SBI Holdings, Ajinomoto, Japan Tobacco, Hitachi, Mitsui, Balcom, NEC, Eurus Energy, Chubu Electric Power, Shikoku Electric, Shimizu, Hankyu Travel International, Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan Association for Trade with Russia and NIS (ROTOBO), Norinchukin Bank, SBI Shinsei, and the Japan Association of Travel Agents.
Mirziyoyev noted that in recent years, cooperation between Uzbekistan and Japan has reached a new level. Whereas previously Japanese companies were primarily involved in contracting projects, today they are actively investing in the country’s economy, establishing joint ventures, participating in management, transferring technologies, and contributing to the training of national personnel.
As a result of these qualitative changes, Japan has become one of Uzbekistan’s key economic and technological partners.
The positive dynamic is also reflected in trade and economic indicators. Over the past 8 years, trade turnover has doubled, while the number of Japanese enterprises operating in Uzbekistan has increased tenfold.
Strong cooperation has been established in energy, healthcare, geology, information technology, infrastructure, and other priority areas.
Mirziyoyev invited Japanese businesses to actively participate in the modernization of Uzbekistan’s economy, aimed at accelerating industrialization, introducing advanced technologies, increasing productivity, and expanding export opportunities.
He identified priority areas for further cooperation with Japanese business circles, including green energy transition, the development of renewable energy sources and storage systems, as well as reducing the carbon intensity of the economy.
Particular attention was paid to the deep processing of critical minerals to form a complete value-added chain.
Promising areas also include the development of mechanical engineering and industrial equipment, and the formation of a modern, high-tech industrial economy.
A special emphasis was placed on the development of information technologies, including implementing programs in artificial intelligence and digitalization.
Another important area is the creation of modern special economic zones, designed to become centers for high-tech and export-oriented production, as well as industrial cooperation through the automation of production processes and the implementation of digital management systems.
Representatives of Japanese business circles expressed their commitment to expanding their presence in Uzbekistan and announced plans to participate in the implementation of joint projects in priority areas.
Photo: president.uz
