The Russian state-owned development corporation VEB.RF plans to be involved in the infrastructure development projects in Tashkent, the company chairman of this financial structure Igor Shuvalov.
"A separate area of cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan is cooperation in the development of the urban economy. For VEB.RF, as a development institute, this is a priority, since it directly affects the quality of life of citizens. We see potential in partnership with Tashkent in this area. In Russia, we are active in 100 cities, " he said.
According to him, Tashkent is a city with a unique history, cultural traditions and great tourism potential. Cooperation in the development of its urban infrastructure can become another area of partnership between Russian and Uzbek businesses with the participation of VEB.RF. This is not only the transport, but also tourism, health care, education, utility infrastructure, providing citizens with clean water and much more.
"Uzbekistan is one of Russia's largest trading partners. The Russian business mission to Tashkent in September showed that our cooperation has enormous potential, including through the SCO in the Greater Eurasia, especially in the post-pandemic period. Uzbekistan is not only a huge market for supplies of Russian technological goods, but also a supplier of significant goods to Russia," he underscored.
Shuvalov added that VEB.RF actively supports the export of Russian products to Uzbekistan. So, today, Russian-made cars are used in the Tashkent metro, and equipment for the power industry is being supplied.
"In May, we launched financing for the supply of electric freight locomotives to Uzbekistan. Our cooperation in mechanical engineering is actively developing. As part of the business mission, a loan agreement was signed for the purchase of 250 units of KAMAZ vehicles, which are assembled in Uzbekistan and will be used by local companies. We have also partnered in creating a large agricultural complex for the supply of fruit and vegetable products to Russia. In general, 63 billion rubles (over US$ 800 million), worth of 15 projects are being implemented with the participation of VEB.RF and our subsidiary, Russian Export Center", - he said.
He noted, an agreement was signed with the National Bank of Uzbekistan on the common terms for use of the system for transmitting financial messages of the Bank of Russia. This is another step towards diversification of settlements in trade through the use of national currencies.
"Cooperation between our countries is actively developing, and has a multi-vector nature. This is facilitated by the changes in the economic life of the country that have emerged in recent years. Comfortable conditions have been created here for the development of partnerships between entrepreneurs of our countries, big business, which will become a driver not only for economic growth, but and the development of technologies, improving the quality of life of the citizens of our countries," he concluded.
