Next year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan plans to work on increasing and expanding export of products, attracting foreign investment, as well as developing the tourism industry. On December 25, during a briefing devoted to the annual results of the activities of the Foreign Ministry, First Deputy Foreign Minister Ilhom Nematov declared about it.
 
The first deputy minister said that thanks to the exchange of top-level visits with Central Asian states, solutions were found to such complicated and confusing issues as the rational use of water resources, delimitation of state borders with neighboring countries, intersection of border posts between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. In addition, relations with all institutions of the UN, the CIS, Shanghai Cooperation Organization have become noticeably more active. 
 
In January-October 2018, exports of goods and services amounted to $ 10.3 billion, about 4 million foreigners visited Uzbekistan. In total, it is expected that until the end of the year $ 2.7 billion investment will be attracted. Next year, the ministry plans to continue work in these directions. 
 
“Three points – attracting investment, increasing exports and escalating the tourist flow will be our main tasks in 2019,” Mr. Nematov said. 
 
The Ministry’s other plans include building a dialogue with compatriots living abroad, as well as improving the legal framework of foreign political activities.