BERLIN, October 8. /Dunyo IA/.  Embassy of Uzbekistan hosted a meeting to discuss the current state and prospects for expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation with Germany, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Event, held ahead of the meeting of the Foreign Trade Committee of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), brought together representatives of the German business community, DIHK members, experts, and specialists in the field of economic cooperation.

Opening the meeting, Ambassador of Uzbekistan Dilshod Akhatov, emphasized the priority significance of trade, economic, and investment ties. He briefed the participants on the ongoing economic reforms in the country, support for the private sector and the conditions created for foreign investors and entrepreneurs.

Particular attention was paid to opportunities for cooperation in the fields of technology, industrial cooperation, mechanical engineering, energy, digitalization, digital innovation and high-value-added production.

Main part of the event took place in the format of a panel discussion featuring the Ambassador, Chairman of the DIHK Foreign Trade Committee Peter Kulitz and a member of the DIHK Executive Board and Head of Foreign Trade, Volker Treier.

Participants discussed expanding the presence of German companies in the Uzbek market, launching new investment projects, deepening industrial cooperation and increasing mutual trade.

Peter Kulitz noted the growing interest of German businesses in Uzbekistan.

“The fact that the country's GDP has been growing at a rate of over 6 percent for several years is particularly compelling, serving as a testament to the dynamic development of the economy”, he stated.

According to him, German side maintains a continuous dialogue with companies operating in Uzbekistan and is keenly interested in ensuring that its members are better informed about the country's economic growth and emerging opportunities.

He also emphasized that for German companies, the pursuit of new markets, the expansion of partnerships, and the diversification of operations are becoming increasingly critical, with Uzbekistan being regarded as one of the highly promising destinations for cooperation within the wider European context.

Volker Treier, for his part, highlighted the distinct advantages Uzbekistan offers to German businesses.

“A young and populous demographic, a skilled workforce, rich natural resources and a strategic geographical location create substantial opportunities for expanding trade, manufacturing and investment cooperation”, he stated.

According to him, German companies can offer investment, technologies, know-how, and systemic solutions to Uzbekistan. Mr. Treier attached particular significance to the country's participation in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which has the potential to connect East Asia with Europe, including Germany.

He noted the prospects for developing multimodal logistics across the Caspian Sea, energy supply chains, digitalization and infrastructure projects. In Volker Treier’s view, German companies can establish manufacturing facilities in Uzbekistan, process raw materials and intermediate goods, and supply finished products to both the domestic and export markets.