SOCIETY 378

SOCIETY
Furthermore, I will strive to increase the recognition of
Uzbekistan by enhancing relations between political, public,
expert and journalistic circles.
operating in the above areas in the
form of foreign direct investment or
in the form of concessional loans
provided by the Austrian side into the
economy of Uzbekistan. We will apply
all the possible efforts to acquaint the
Austrian market with a large number
of Uzbek goods. Uzbekistan is known
throughout the world for the taste and
quality of its fruits, melons, tomatoes
and other agricultural products. We
have won our niche in the supply of
products of the textile, chemical and
electrical industries to the world market.
Furthermore, I will strive to increase
the recognition of Uzbekistan by
enhancing relations between political,
public, expert and journalistic circles.
We plan to hold a series of joint events
in 2022, dedicated to the 30th anniversary
of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between Uzbekistan and
Austria. Most recently, we have appointed
a Honorary Consul to Austria
who has started his work. I intend to
continue to work in this direction and
increase the number of the “circle of
friends of Uzbekistan” from among the
leading parliamentarians for most fruitful
use of their potential in promoting
political, trade, economic, cultural and
humanitarian interests and initiatives
of our republic.
Mulberry tree, that was planted by the Uzbek
Minister of Silk in the garden of Villa Flora
The agricultural sector is of great
importance for Uzbekistan, just as it
is for Austria. Is there an exchange
between the two countries in this
regard, respectively, how can the two
countries profit from each other in
this area?
Agriculture accounts for 32% of GDP
and provides jobs for 27% of the
working-age population in Uzbekistan,
which makes it one of the main sectors
of the country‘s economy. The agricultural
sector not only supplies the
population with food, but also provides
the country‘s industry with raw materials.
Due to historically established
ties, as well as from the geographical
location, the tasteful products of the
Uzbek agrarians are sent mainly to the
nearest neighbors. In this concern, we
can suggest to broaden the borders in
this field sending products like grapes,
melons, watermelons, tomatoes, etc.
to Austria. As of problems hindering
the expansion of exports to the Austrian
markets, we can specify: the strict
phytosanitary standards of Austria, the
high cost of transportation, insufficient
use of marketing approaches and
methods. I see a lot of work for our
Embassy in these regards. We plan to
hold show rooms for the presentation
of fruits and vegetables, textile, leather
and footwear products of Uzbekistan,
in the frames of the opening of an Uzbek-Austrian
trading house. According
to the „Strategy for the Development
of Agriculture of Uzbekistan for 2020-
20230“, it is planned to increase the
export of agricultural products in 2030
up to $20 billion in the coming years. To
achieve these plans, it is important to
increase the scientific potential of the
sphere, to introduce an international
certification system. And in this, I also
see a great potential for joint work
with the Austrian side. As it is known,
Austria is Europe‘s main producer and
exporter of bio-products. We would
like to learn from Austria‘s experience
in the production of organic products
using new technologies. Lemberona
Handels GmbH is a good example of
cooperation in the sale of organic products
of Uzbek agrarians. It has been
supplying the Austrian market with
dried fruits, vegetables, legumes and
medicinal herbs for over 15 years.
Historically, Uzbekistan was an extremely
important part of the Silk Road
– how would you describe the current
importance of Silk Road and the role of
Uzbekistan within the “One Belt, One
Road” initiative?
The Great Silk Road was opened
thanks to the wealth of the ancient
khanates that existed on the territory
of modern Uzbekistan. The blooming
oasis cities along the Silk Road became
international transshipment points
for goods, they were vital centers of
trade, crafts, and the spread of various
cultures. In addition to the exchange
of valuable goods, the Great Silk Road
presented a connecting link for a real
cultural exchange of religious and philosophical
teachings between Eastern
and Western civilizations. Uzbekistan
was one of the first countries to support
the development of the “One Belt,
One Road” project. The project involves
the development of cooperation
between more than 60 countries in five
main areas, including infrastructural
interconnection, coordination in the
political sphere, the implementation of
constant trade exchanges, the strengthening
of spiritual unity between
peoples and free movement of capital.
In this regard, Uzbekistan, which
occupies a geographically central
position in a wide region, is becoming
an important logistic, communication
link connecting European countries
with the rest of the participants of the
project.
UZBEKISTAN
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