MINSK, 6 September (BelTA) – Partnership relations between Uzbekistan and Belarus have taken on a new lease of life, Chairman of the Committee on International Relations, Foreign Economic Relations, Foreign Investments and Tourism of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Ravshanbek Alimov said at the plenary session of the First Belarus-Uzbekistan Women’s Business Forum “Women Entrepreneurs – Potential for Development of Business Cooperation between Belarus and Uzbekistan”, BelTA has learned.

“Over the past six years, the partnership relations between Uzbekistan and Belarus have gained a new lease of life. Open, trustworthy dialogue and agreements reached between our heads of state serve as a solid foundation. The robust legal framework lets us look confidently at the prospects of our bilateral cooperation in the trade and economic sector as well. Belarus is an important trade partner of Uzbekistan. A free trade regime is in effect between the two countries. It is worth mentioning the steady positive dynamics of our trade and economic relations. For example, mutual trade already rose by 56% in the first half of this year,” Ravshanbek Alimov said.

Today, the two countries are implementing important joint projects in the energy, automotive, electrical, textile and agricultural sectors. “Uzbekistan highly appreciates regular meetings of the bilateral intergovernmental commission with Belarus on trade and economic cooperation. We advocate the full use of all available reserves to increase and diversify the range of bilateral trade and investment cooperation. Today, there are 185 Belarus-funded enterprises in Uzbekistan, and over 100 Uzbekistan-funded companies in Belarus. It is very important that direct ties between entrepreneurs are being strengthened, and today’s business forum is serving this matter,” the chairman of the committee said.

Cooperation between the regions of the two countries is successfully developing. “We need to continue this work,” Ravshanbek Alimov added.

A parliamentary delegation of Uzbekistan led by Chairwoman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbayeva is paying an official visit to Belarus at the invitation of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus. The first Belarus-Uzbekistan women’s business forum has been organized as part of the visit. On 5 September the forum featured six breakout sessions. The key event of the business forum – the plenary session Women Entrepreneurs – Potential for Development of Business Cooperation between Belarus and Uzbekistan – took place on 6 September.

The forum was organized by the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus.