Uzbekistan-USA: developing a stable trade and economic partnership

^{On December 5 of this year, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Zhamshid Khojayev held talks with the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Uzbekistan Jonathan Henik. The parties discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation in the investment and trade and economic spheres.}

^{First of all, Zhamshid Khojayev congratulated Jonathan Khenik on taking up his new position and wished him success in his professional activities.}

^{During the conversation, an exchange of views took place on the effectiveness of platforms for joint resolution of issues of bilateral cooperation, in particular, the potential of the Strategic Partnership Dialogue was noted, the first meeting of which was held in December 2021.}

^{The commitment of the two countries to continue close cooperation on the regional agenda was also emphasized, including within the framework of the C5 + 1 initiative, which has become an effective and important tool for strengthening peace, stability and prosperity in Central Asia.}

^{At the same time, the meeting participants considered the current state of Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO, referring to reducing the scale of state participation in the economy, improving customs administration, issues of technical regulation and ensuring intellectual property rights. The American side expressed its readiness to continue to assist Uzbekistan in the process of joining the Organization.}

^{The progress of the implementation of the previously reached agreements within the framework of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the International Financial Development Corporation (DFC) in the field of energy, transport, education, health care, the implementation of PPP projects with the involvement of DFC funding was discussed. The parties agreed to consider the possibilities of expanding cooperation in this direction.}

^{Among other topics raised at the talks were the prospects for partnership in the textile sector. In this context, the prospects of providing preferential trade treatment for the export of Uzbek textile products to the US market were discussed.}

^{As a result of the conversation, mutual commitment was expressed to continue close cooperation in the priority areas of the bilateral agenda.}