Karakalpakstan Delegation Discusses Investment and Agricultural Export Cooperation with Sverdlovsk Region Authorities

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A delegation from the Republic of Karakalpakstan, led by Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Vladimir Zhollybekov, visited Russia’s Sverdlovsk Region, reports IA “Dunyo.”

During the visit, a series of meetings and negotiations were held to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the regions of Uzbekistan and Russia. Dmitry Ionin, Deputy Governor and Minister of Investment and Development of Sverdlovsk Region, was briefed on the benefits and incentives available in Karakalpakstan, as well as on the catalog of products from local industrial enterprises.

The parties discussed cooperation prospects in the chemical, food, leather, and textile industries, as well as the supply of agricultural products from Karakalpakstan. Opportunities for attracting Sverdlovsk-based manufacturing enterprises to Karakalpakstan were also considered. The establishment of sister-region relations with subsequent project and document exchanges was explored.

In a meeting with Natalya Martynova, Deputy Minister of Industry and Science of Sverdlovsk Region, the Russian side received information on the current cooperation between local manufacturers and Sverdlovsk companies and discussed investment opportunities in Karakalpakstan. The Russian side expressed interest in collaboration in the production of building materials. To further explore regional product potential, it was agreed that the Karakalpakstan delegation would participate in the International Construction Exhibition “TechnoBuild,” scheduled for 30 September to 3 October in Yekaterinburg.

During talks with Svetlana Terekhova, Minister of the Agro-Industrial Complex and Consumer Market, issues of increasing agricultural exports from Karakalpakstan were discussed. The Uzbek delegation presented a catalog of agri-products and emphasized the region’s advantages in transport and logistics. There was also an exchange of experience regarding Sverdlovsk Region’s customs preferences for Uzbek importers and the processing and packaging of agricultural products.

The visit concluded with agreements to maintain an active dialogue between the relevant ministries and agencies of Karakalpakstan and Sverdlovsk Region, establish sister-region relations, organize a reciprocal visit by the Sverdlovsk delegation to Karakalpakstan, participate in the “TechnoBuild” exhibition, and expand agricultural exports to the markets of Sverdlovsk Region and other Russian regions.