09.06.2023

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with the Governor of Lombardy Attilio Fontana in Milan on the second day of his official visit to Italy.

Lombardy, being located in the north of Italy, is one of the country’s largest, most populous and economically developed regions. It accounts for 22% of the country’s GDP and ranks fifth in the EU.

At the outset of the meeting, the Head of our State congratulated Attilio Fontana on his reappointment as Governor and wished him every success in his new role.

The recent productive talks with President Mattarella and Prime Minister Meloni were noted with satisfaction, during which support was expressed for the development of interregional contacts.

Practical aspects of mutually beneficial cooperation were discussed, notably in the areas of trade and investment.

Last year, the trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Lombardy increased by 83%. Flights between Milan and Tashkent resumed in April.

Strong partnerships have been established with leading companies in the region, such as Pietro Fiorentini, Terranova, Danieli, Fin. Opera, and others.

The President of Uzbekistan stressed the importance of increasing the portfolio of joint trade and investment projects, as well as the wider involvement of advanced Italian technologies and know-how in various sectors of the Uzbek economy.

The need for the early preparation of a comprehensive cooperation program with Lombardy, with the holding of a joint investment forum in Samarkand was noted.

A particular attention was paid to the issues of deepening industrial cooperation, creating favorable conditions for the promotion of business initiatives, implementing public-private partnership projects in the field of medicine, developing innovations, as well as expanding cultural and humanitarian ties, including holding mutual Days of Culture.

The Governor expressed his sincere gratitude to our President for the comprehensive support of the projects and initiatives of the business community of Lombardy in Uzbekistan. He also confirmed his readiness to promote extensive and mutually beneficial business partnerships with the regions of our country.

At the end of the meeting, the Head of State wished Attilio Fontana success in the preparations for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympic Games, which will be held in Lombardy.