Fifth meeting of Uzbek-Egyptian Intergovernmental Commission

On 1 March Joint Intergovernmental Commission for Trade-Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation of Uzbekistan and Egypt had its fifth meeting held at the International Business Centre in Tashkent.

At session the Deputy Prime Minister of Republic Uzbekistan, the co-chairman of the joint commission R.Kasimov has noted, that Egypt is one of the important partners of our country in the Middle East.

Egyptian delegation of businesspeople led by the Minister of International Cooperation, Co-Chairman of the Commission Fayza Mohamed Abul Naga participated in the meeting of the commission.

During the meeting consecutive development of relations in all spheres was discussed, and arrangements reached during meetings of heads of two states serve as a legal basis for the development of cooperation.

Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt , Co-Chairman of the Commission Fayza Mohamed Abul Naga, has noted, that the reached arrangements are logical continuation of trade and economic, scientific-cultural relations which existed between Uzbekistan and Egypt for a long time.

The countries have many opportunities for the development of trade and economic relations. In 2006 the volume of trade between our states has made 3,6 million US dollars. Uzbekistan exports to Egypt basically yarn, fabrics and agricultural products.

Two countries established diplomatic relations in January 1992. Relations between the countries are regulated by the agreements "On mutual stimulation and protection of investments", "On economic and scientific-technical cooperation", "On air communication", "On avoidance of double taxation and evasion of taxes on profit", and "On trade".

The Intergovernmental Commission for Trade-Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation is an effective mechanism in the development of trade and economic relations at the intergovernmental level. The Commission`s previous meeting was held in November 2003 in Cairo.

Two joint ventures operate in partnership with Egyptian investors in the territory of Uzbekistan: Hayot JV (furniture producer), and Arab Constructors JV (construction works).

Uzbekistan has favorable geographical arrangement and great opportunities for transport communications and logistics. Egypt through Uzbekistan can expand communications with the countries of the Central Asia and the CIS. Membership of our country in a number of regional structures gives the opportunities for mechanisms of development, trade and economic relations.

Egypt - one of the leading countries of the Arabian world. Uzbekistan through Egypt can strengthen even more the economic relations with the countries of Northern Africa and the Middle East. At the meeting mutually advantageous opportunities had been put forward, questions of development and realization of joint projects were discussed.

The Egyptian delegation has carried on negotiations in the Ministries for Foreign Affairs, Health, Agriculture and a water management, national companies "Uzbekistan Airways", "Uzbektoursm" and a number of other ministries.