British Ambassador visits Qashqadaryo Region
On 16-17 February 2015 Her Majesty’s Ambassador, Mr George Edgar, paid an official visit to Qashqadaryo Region in Southern Uzbekistan.
Meeting with the Governor of Qashqadaryo Region, Mr Zafar Ruziev
On 16-17 February 2015 Her Majesty’s Ambassador, Mr George Edgar, paid an official visit to Qashqadaryo Region in Southern Uzbekistan.
The Ambassador had meetings with the Governor of Qashqadaryo Region, the Mayor of Karshi (administrative centre of Qashqadaryo Region), regional representatives of the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis (Uzbekistan’s Parliament) for Human Rights (Ombudsman) and the Chamber of Trade and Industry.
On 16 February the Ambassador was received by the Governor of Qashqadaryo Region, Mr Zafar Ruziev. They discussed the issues of economic and social development of the region. Mr Ruziev spoke about investment and tourism potential of the region. He noted that currently there are six joint ventures with British capital operating in Qashqadaryo Region.
On the same day the Ambassador met the Mayor of Karshi, Mr Akmal Ochilov, who briefed him on the issues of social-economic development of Karshi and investment potential of the region. Among other things, Ambassador Edgar noted that the British Embassy is assisting UK companies in finding new market niches and exporting their products and services to the Uzbek market. The Embassy is also working with key stakeholders, including the Uzbek-British Trade and Industry Council, to increase awareness of business opportunities in both countries.
On 17 February Ambassador Edgar met the regional representative of the Ombudsman, Mr. Muradulla Tagaev. Mr. Tagaev spoke about the role of the Ombudsman’s Office in dealing with problems raised by citizens, as well as about use of e-Government tools to bring the authorities closer to the public.
The Ambassador was received by the Deputy Head of Qashqadaryo Regional Chamber of Trade and Industry, Mr. Bakhodir Shokirov, who spoke about the importance of bringing to the region innovative technologies and products required in agriculture, irrigation and food production. The Embassy is working to encourage British companies to attend exhibitions in Uzbekistan in order to better understand business opportunities offered by the regions, Ambassador Edgar said.
The Ambassador also visited several cultural sites and had a short tour around the stadium of the football club Nasaf, which plays in Uzbekistan’s Premier League, and of the women’s football club Sevinch.
Returning to Tashkent Ambassador Edgar said:
This was a useful and interesting visit to a region with rich history and significant importance today, not least as a region that contributes significantly to Uzbekistan’s economy. I believe it is important to see and understand the life of Uzbekistan through visits to different parts of the country. I am grateful to Qashqadaryo Region officials for organizing such a full and interesting visit.