Cooperation between Fergana and Minsk Regions Reaches a New Level

During the warm and constructive dialogue, the Governor of Fergana Region noted that the official visit of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Republic of Belarus on July 8–9 of this year, at the invitation of President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, opened a new chapter in relations between the two countries. It was emphasized that, following the high-level talks, Uzbekistan–Belarus relations have entered a qualitatively new stage of strategic partnership.

In this regard, the importance of expanding direct ties between the regions and channeling their existing potential and opportunities into mutually beneficial projects was highlighted.
Particular attention was paid to the complementary economic potential of Fergana and Minsk Regions.

Presentations were also made on the economic and investment potential of the two regions, as well as their opportunities in agriculture, the social sector, tourism, trade and industry.

It was noted that Fergana Region’s potential in textiles, fruit and vegetable production and processing, industry and human resources, combined with Minsk Region’s capabilities in agricultural technologies, livestock farming, mechanical engineering and the production of modern equipment, provides a solid foundation for effective cooperation.

Alexey Kushnarenko, Chairman of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee, noted that Uzbekistan is an important partner for Minsk Region across various sectors. He stated that bilateral trade turnover has already reached USD 150 million this year, representing a 28 percent increase compared with the previous year.

He noted that the visit to Fergana Region is aimed at bringing bilateral relations to a new and higher level. The delegation includes representatives of executive committees, specialists in education, healthcare and agriculture, as well as heads of enterprises and organizations.

The visit is also aimed at touring various centers and enterprises and holding substantive negotiations on attracting investment. Confidence was expressed that the discussions would help identify a number of promising areas of cooperation and that both sides would work to further develop them. In particular, the parties agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture, light industry, mechanical engineering and tourism.

Alexey Kushnarenko emphasized that such direct contacts are the most effective form of cooperation for achieving tangible results.

The meeting also addressed investment projects that have already entered the practical implementation stage. The parties identified further measures aimed at enriching cooperation with concrete results.

Fergana and Volozhin Districts were proposed to develop, within three months, a joint action plan under the signed agreement on friendly relations, covering exchanges in the economic, cultural and educational spheres.

The parties expressed confidence that the agreements reached would contribute to strengthening friendly ties between Fergana and Minsk Regions, expanding trade and economic cooperation, and implementing new joint projects.

At the conclusion of the meeting, documents aimed at bringing interregional cooperation to a new level were signed.

In particular, a Memorandum on Interregional Cooperation between Fergana and Minsk Regions, an Agreement on the Establishment of Friendly Relations between Volozhin and Fergana Districts, and a Memorandum of Cooperation between the

Minsk Branch of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Fergana Regional Department of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan were signed.