ISLAM KARIMOV RECEIVES BULGARIAN PM BOYKO BORISSOV

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Boyko Borissov at the Oqsaroy on 18 May.

Warmly greeting the guest, the head of our state underlined that the first visit of the head of the government of Bulgaria to the Republic of Uzbekistan is a significant event in the development of bilateral relations and a good opportunity to elevate mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries to a new level.

Bulgaria is considered in Uzbekistan as a traditional and trusted economic partner and the Uzbek and Bulgarian peoples have had amicable relations for ages.

A wide sphere of issues of economic cooperation, prospective areas of interaction in industry, transport communications, tourism as well as establishment of modern joint industrial enterprises were discussed at the meeting.

The parties noted that opening of a new high-tech joint enterprise Uzpristaoil, founded by Uzbekneftegaz NHC and Bulgarian Prista Oil Company and specialized in deep processing and production of synthetic and semisynthetic motor oils, in the “Angren” special industrial zone on 18 May within the visit of the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, is a vivid example of such mutually advantageous cooperation.

Boyko Borissov highlighted the high export potential of the new enterprise and remarked that the “Navoi” and “Angren” special economic and industrial zones in Uzbekistan, where unprecedented conditions for successful activity of foreign investors are created, present wide opportunities for implementation of new projects and allow Bulgarian companies to gain ground in the markets of Central, South and Eastern Asian countries.

During the meeting, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan conveyed his support for the economic policy of Bulgaria, main priorities of which are increasing the competitiveness of the economy, investments, development of entrepreneurship and small businesses.

The Prime Minister of Bulgaria highly assessed the reform strategy, implemented in Uzbekistan during the years of independence, which resulted in radical economic and social transformations. He underscored that a new phase of reforms and structural transformations, being carried out at present, unreservedly ensures further development and well-being of the country.

During discussions the parties acknowledged the large potential for widening mutual trade. Uzbekistan is ready to offer for the Bulgarian market a wide variety of industrial products, as well as is interested in attracting high-tech products and equipment, made in Bulgaria.

The parties also agreed to exchange business delegations in the nearest future to develop new prospective projects of joint cooperation in trade-economic and investment spheres.

Boyko Borissov expressed his sincere gratitude to the President of our country for a warm reception and underscored a deep interest of Bulgaria in widening multi-faceted partnership with Uzbekistan.

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