Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech here, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said that Uzbekistan is the land where Turkic culture and science developed, and that scientists who enlightened the world from Biruni to Ali Kuşçu were raised in Uzbekistan.

Stating that the legacy left by scientists continues to enlighten not only Uzbekistan but also Anatolia, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that Uzbekistan and Türkiye are “two states, one nation”.

- “The chamber system must be strengthened”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they are happy with the development of relations between the two countries after the election of Uzbek President Şevket Mirziyoyev and said:

“Good relations at the leadership level are directly reflected in business relations. The economic reforms carried out in Uzbekistan under the leadership of President Mirziyoyev make Uzbekistan attractive for investment. I know that entrepreneurship and the private sector play an important role in the reforms. In this respect, strengthening the chamber system will make a significant contribution to the deepening and implementation of reforms. Improving the service capacity of the chamber system in Uzbekistan is possible with strong and sustainable sources of income.”

Pointing out that one of the important areas of the reform process is to increase competitiveness and create a favorable environment for exports, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the necessary support, including training, should be provided by the chamber system to companies that want to export.

Hisarcıklıoğlu, noting that Uzbekistan's economy has doubled in the last 7 years, “Türkiye-Uzbekistan relations continue to develop. We are happy that the preferential trade agreement will be implemented as of July 1, 2023. The business volume of our contractors has more than doubled in the last 5 years. Our investments also continue to increase. We need to do more mutual trade and investment. For this, we will continue to attach importance to platforms that will bring our members together.”

Stating that they brought together Uzbekistan delegations operating in the textile, leather-footwear, furniture, jewelry, glass, construction materials, pharmacy and health sectors with manufacturers and sector representatives in Türkiye in the first quarter of this year, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that this cooperation will continue.

- Vice President Yılmaz

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said that special sessions will be held in the fields of public-private cooperation projects, inter-regional cooperation, privatization, industry, geology, mining, and joint investments will be discussed at the forum, thus aiming to deepen the cooperation between the two countries.

Noting that the trade contacts between the two countries have developed rapidly in recent years and the cooperation based on brotherhood has become more visible, Yılmaz said that they are working decisively to reach the 5 billion dollar trade volume target set by the Presidents of the two countries.

Emphasizing that this goal is no longer far away, Yılmaz said that tomorrow, President Erdoğan and Uzbek President Mirziyoyev may announce new goals.

Vice President Yılmaz stated that there are investment opportunities for business people in Uzbekistan in many fields such as energy, electronics and agriculture, and that Türkiye has access to Central Asia and European markets thanks to its developed infrastructure and strategic location.

Yılmaz pointed out that Türkiye's experience in the energy sector and the importance attached to renewable energy projects also create a sustainable investment environment for clean energy investments.

- Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Jamshid Kuchkarov

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan Jamshid Kuchkarov said that within the framework of the forum, which has become a tradition in recent years, Turkish and Uzbek business people have opened the door to new collaborations.

Pointing out that the volume of trade between Uzbekistan and Türkiye has increased by about 2 times in the last five years, Kuchkarov noted that Turkish companies have shown interest in investment opportunities in Uzbekistan and the number of Uzbek businesses trading with Türkiye has increased.

Kuchkarov drew attention to the Preferential Trade Agreement signed between Türkiye and Uzbekistan and stated that negotiations are ongoing to expand the scope of the agreement. Kuchkarov underlined that they aim to increase the bilateral trade volume to 5 billion dollars.

Explaining that consultations were held in 6 sectors within the scope of the forum, Kuchkarov emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation areas.

Kuchkarov invited Turkish investors to participate in regional projects in his country, saying Uzbekistan offers opportunities for investors. Noting that there may be legal regulations regarding investments in his country, Kuchkarov stated that tax payments in Uzbekistan are favorable.

Kuchkarov noted that macroeconomic growth continues in Uzbekistan and said inflation is about 9 percent. Pointing to cooperation opportunities in sectors such as mining, logistics, health, education and natural gas, Kuchkarov said they want to establish an Uzbek-Turkish industrial zone.

- Historical and cultural relations

President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan Dovran Vakhabov also expressed his hope that the forum will further develop relations between business people.

Drawing attention to the historical and cultural relations between Uzbekistan and Türkiye, Vakhabov emphasized that the Historical Silk Road serves as a bridge of friendship between the countries.

Noting that Türkiye is one of the important trade partners of Uzbekistan, Vakhabov said that projects are carried out in various sectors.

- “Reciprocal flights between Türkiye and Uzbekistan should be increased”

DEIK Board Member Denemeç stated that there is a trade volume of 3 billion dollars between Türkiye and Uzbekistan and emphasized the importance of increasing bilateral trade.

Referring to the steps to be taken to improve economic cooperation between the two countries, Denemeç said: “Thanks to the preferential trade agreement in force, I believe that we will achieve our trade volume target in a short time. We believe that in order to improve the commercial and economic cooperation between our countries, to strengthen our social ties by bringing our brotherly peoples closer, we believe that it is necessary to increase the number of mutual flights, and new airline companies that want to organize flights between Türkiye and Uzbekistan should enter the system.”

After the speeches, representatives of Turkish and Uzbek companies from various sectors came to the stage and presented the 15 cooperation agreements they signed with each other.