The forum of business circles of Uzbekistan and China took place in Tashkent on 7 September. The event was organized by the Ministry of foreign economic relations, investments and trade, and the Commerce and industry chamber of Uzbekistan jointly with the Trade chamber for export and import of machinery and technical products of China.

Heads of ministries, departments and companies working in foreign trade, investments, fuel and energy, banking and finance, construction, machinery building, agriculture, food, chemical, light, textile, healthcare, transport, IT, logistics, tourism and other sectors took part in the forum.

The Chinese businessmen were provided with information on the priority directions of attraction of investments in Uzbekistan. They also got acquainted with the privatization process in Uzbekistan, reforms in various sectors of the economy and the opportunities in the free industrial economic zone Navoi.

In total, about 100 representatives of more than 50 large Chinese companies participated in the business forum.

China is one of Uzbekistan’s largest trade and economic partners. In 2008 trade turnover between the two states increased 43.4% compared to 2007 to USD 1.3 billion. In the first half of 2009, the figure already comprised USD 1.2 billion.

Almost 270 Uzbek-Chinese joint ventures operate in Uzbekistan, 44 of which were set up with 100% Chinese capital.

These companies function in the areas of light and textile industry, agricultural products processing, investments and trade.

Besides, 46 Chinese companies, including the leading ones, have their representative offices in Uzbekistan.