ТАSHKENT, June 17. /Dunyo IA/.  Dr. Shoichi Kobayashi, Founder and Chairman of the Japan Development Institute (JDI), Japan, who is participating in the 5^th Tashkent International Investment Forum in the capital of Uzbekistan, granted an exclusive interview to a Dunyo IA correspondent.

-  I represent the Japan Development Institute, which has specialized in the development of special economic zones in more than 30 countries over the past 45 years. We were invited by the World Bank and International Finance Corporation to conduct a feasibility study for two locations, which is the purpose of our presence here. We have a project presentation scheduled for the near future, and we look forward to the opportunity to develop world-class special economic zones in Uzbekistan. This constitutes the primary objective of our work.

Government of Uzbekistan, including Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, is carrying out significant work in this direction. At the same time, in our view, certain elements of policy and implementation approaches could be further adapted to international practices and standards. It is important to consider that the development of special economic zones is of strategic importance for the country, particularly in the context of a growing young population and the need to create new jobs. In this sense, such zones can become one of the key instruments for economic development and employment.

We hope that the current forum will provide an additional opportunity to discuss ways to enhance the efficiency and quality of special economic zones development, as well as to strengthen their investment attractiveness. Overall, this direction requires further improvement in terms of planning, promotion, and the institutional model.

Currently, the government is undertaking efforts to refine policies, including expanding private sector participation and developing public-private partnership (PPP) mechanisms in the management of special economic zones. At the same time, transitioning from entirely state-managed models to a PPP framework is a complex process that necessitates sequential institutional changes.

We view the forum as a timely and significant platform for discussing these matters and exchanging international experience, which can contribute to the further development of special economic zones in Uzbekistan and enhance their alignment with global standards.