President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance of Japan Taro Aso at the Oqsaroy on May 5.
The head of our state, greeting the guest, noted that the latter is known in Uzbekistan not only as a prominent political figure and statesman of Japan, but also as a reliable friend who has made an enormous input into the development of mutually advantageous relations and the establishment of strategic partnership between our two nations. President Karimov congratulated Taro Aso on the title of the Honored Doctor awarded to him by the Banking and Finance Academy of Uzbekistan during his current visit to our country.
Japan is one of Uzbekistan’s key economic partners. The bilateral trade turnover in 2013 exceeded 215.2 million US dollars. The total volume of funds extended by Japan to Uzbekistan has amounted to 2.32 billion dollars.
It is noteworthy that the official visit Uzbekistan’s President paid to Japan in February 2011 helped afford a new impetus to the Uzbek-Japanese relations, boost the political dialogue and fill the strategic cooperation with novel practical substance.
Japanese partners have taken an active participation in the implementation of major projects in Uzbekistan, including the construction of a compressor station at the Kokdumalak field and Bukhara Petroleum Refinery, reconstruction of Ferghana Refinery, modernization of airports in Samarkand, Bukhara and Urgench.
Projects currently run include those regarding the electrification of the Karshi-Termez railway line, enhancement of the Navoi Thermal Power Plant (TPP) and modernization of the Talimarjan TPP.
The meeting served to discuss issues related to bolstering the cooperation in the energy, mining, hydrocarbon, chemical and electro-technical sectors, automotive industry, and the telecommunications area. Also, the parties to talks exchanged views on regional and international affairs.
Taro Aso expressed sincere gratitude to the head of our state for a warm reception and confirmed the willingness of the Japanese government in the further consolidation of the multifaceted economic interaction with Uzbekistan.
