As reported earlier, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a state visit to India on Sept. 30. Ahead of his scheduled visit the Indian side, in association with Embassy of Uzbekistan in New Delhi and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), organized “India-Uzbekistan Business Forum” at Hyatt Regency Hotel on Sept. 28.

The business forum was attended by over 150 Uzbek representatives from different ministries and leading business circles of both countries. To further promote bilateral trade relations between Uzbekistan and India an exhibition of Uzbek products titled “Made in Uzbekistan” was displayed at the event.

Mr. Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce & Industry, chaired the meeting in which Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Sukhrob Kholmurodov, Chairman of Chamber of Commerce Adkham Ikramov, Director General at CII Chandrajit Banerjee and Chairman of CII Central Asia Committee & Vice Chairman at SUN Group Shiv Khemka took part. The meeting considered partnership in various fields.

Addressing the attendees, Mr. Suresh Prabhu highlighted the importance of cooperation between the two countries in trade, tourism and investment spheres. He further stated that the upcoming visit of the President of Uzbekistan should be a transformative landmark visit and start a new chapter in Indo-Uzbek relations.

“Uzbekistan used to be a part of the silk route and now we would like to be linked by a silicon route, which we are currently conceptualizing,” Mr. Suresh Prabhu said.

He reiterated India’s unwavering support for Uzbekistan in all endeavors of bilateral development and assured Uzbek representatives that India would succor Uzbekistan with programs of skill training.

Expressing his deep gratitude for the cordial welcome and hospitality, Deputy Prime Minister Sukhrob Kholmuradov said, “Relying on our shared values, we are striving to further strengthen Indo-Uzbek relations. We want to develop mutual trade and investment contacts between our countries across various spheres of industry and services. We have taken decisive steps to create a favorable investment climate and these, I believe, will ensure the future of bilateral cooperation.”

Following the meeting, the sides reached agreements on more than 50 investment projects, whose total value is around $ 3 billion. These projects will be implemented in Uzbekistan by Indian businesses in the near future.