23.03.2021

On March 23, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a group of international consultants Alfred Gusenbauer, Alexander Kwasniewski and Stefan Füle.

The main task of the group of international consultants is to assist in the development and expansion of multifaceted cooperation of our country with the EU states, study and implementation of advanced foreign experience in promoting the reform program, improving the investment climate and business environment, attracting direct investment and advanced technologies to the economy of Uzbekistan, developing the effective mechanisms and instruments of partnership with European business community.

It should be noted that the consultants who have held high public office in different years, today hold great international authority among the European official, business and public circles, have significant experiences in leading consulting, investment and industrial companies.

Thus, Alfred Gusenbauer, the founder of the consulting company «Gusenbauer Projektentwicklung & Beteiligung», served as Federal Chancellor of Austria in the 2000s. The Head of the Amicus Europae Foundation, Aleksandr Kwasniewski, was the President of Poland. Stefan Füle, now an Advisor to CITIC Europe Holdings, has successfully served as the EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement.

During the meeting, an open and constructive exchange of opinions on the topical issues of reforming and institutional development of our country took place.

The guests highly appreciated and expressed full support for the transformation program carried out in Uzbekistan. The achievements and concrete results of the socio-economic policy implemented in the country in the challenging coronavirus pandemic conditions, as well as notable progress in the integration of Uzbekistan into global and regional economic processes, were especially noted.

The recommendations of consultants on the preparation of a long-term strategy of economic reforms and further improvement of the system of public administration in Uzbekistan, expansion of the mutually beneficial relations of our country with foreign partners were considered.

A special attention was paid to increasing transparency and improving the investment climate, the widespread introduction of market mechanisms and the formation of a competitive environment, the development of the banking and financial sector and the capital market in the country.

The consultants also noted that due to the consistent economic transformation and the increase in its openness to foreign capital, the ample opportunities are formed for enhancing investment and innovation cooperation with the EU countries.

The priority nature of the issues of maintaining the current high level of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU, strengthening the mutually beneficial ties and filling them with practical substance, the early adoption of an agreement on extended partnership and cooperation, as well as support for our country’s accession to the WTO was confirmed.

The mechanisms of interaction in trade liberalization and elimination of barriers that prevent the growth of mutual trade and investment, and providing access to the market were also considered.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue close cooperation and active exchanges. The priority tasks and the format of practical interaction for the near future have been agreed upon.