site.bta Regional Development Minister Pavlova: "Bulgarian, Uzbek Companies Have Our Full Support for Joint Projects"

Regional Development Minister Pavlova: "Bulgarian, Uzbek Companies Have Our Full Supportfor Joint Projects"

Tashkent, February 25 (BTA) - Speaking at a business forum in Tashkent, Bulgaria's Regional Development Minister Liliyana Pavlova said the government supports the deepening of business relations and trade with Uzbekistan.

The forum took part on the sidelines of the fourth session of the Bulgarian-Uzbek intergovernmental commission on economic, scientific and technological cooperation, the Regional Development Ministry said.

The commission set the following cooperation priorities: construction, textiles, the chemical industry, pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, agriculture and tourism, to mention only a few.

Nearly 30 Bulgarian business representatives attended the forum opened by Economy Minister Bozhidar Loukarski and established contacts with local members of the chamber of commerce and industry.

Pavlova, who co-chairs the intergovernmental commission, voiced the firm support of the Bulgarian institutions for stepping up bilateral contacts, especially in trade, which falls a long way short of its growth potential. She stressed Uzbekistan's importance as an economic partner to Bulgaria.

Pavlova assured the business representatives that the government has been working systematically to improve the business climate, ensure stability, transparency and favourable investment opportunities. Bulgaria's key competitive advantages are: EU and NATO membership, geostrategic location as a country crossed by five trans-European transport corridors, low operating costs, including corporation taxes, and a well-educated labour force.

Bulgaria's legislation provides incentives for investments in tangible and intangible assets and job creation. Bulgarian construction companies have extensive experience in building transport infrastructure, including roads, motorways, bridges, tunnels, underground railways and civil engineering projects, using state-of-the-art engineering solutions and technologies. Bulgaria offers high quality building materials which meet all EU requirements, said Pavlova.

Bulgarian businesses are also showing a strong interest in establishing a presence in Uzbekistan, said Pavlova, adding that their know-how, high professional standards and experience would be of great help to local companies.

Summing up, Pavlova said the main thrust of the government's efforts would be on two-way trade, trade in cosmetics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, fruit-growing, wine-making, innovative technologies, the setting up of joint ventures and the education of young people from Uzbekistan in Bulgarian universities.