ANKARA, October 27. /Dunyo IA/. Turkish newspapers “Hürriyet”, “Yeni Şafak”, “İttifak” and “Milliyet” have published reports on Uzbekistan’s initiatives to expand economic cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and strengthen investment ties with Türkiye ahead of the organisation’s 13^th Summit in Ankara, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

“Hürriyet” highlighted Uzbekistan’s proposals to establish a Permanent Council for Economic Partnership of the Turkic States, with its office in Tashkent, and to create a “New Economic Opportunities Area”. The newspaper also noted the prospects for developing the Middle Corridor and connecting it to the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway, currently under construction, and subsequently to the Trans-Afghan Corridor.

“Yeni Şafak” and “İttifak” focused on industrial cooperation between Uzbekistan and Türkiye. Their reports covered the “Uzbekistan – Investment and Development Potential” conference held in Ankara this year, organized by the “EkoAvrasya” Foundation, Embassy of Uzbekistan in Türkiye and the Turkish World Civil Society Cooperation Association (“TÜRKSİT”), with the participation of “OSTİM”.

One of the key projects presented at the conference was the establishment of an Uzbek-Turkish Organized Industrial Zone in Tashkent. An area of 100 hectares is envisaged for the project, which aims to attract around $300 million in investment and create more than 10,000 jobs. A further industrial site covering 160 hectares is planned for Nukus.

According to figures presented at the conference, Turkish investment in Uzbekistan’s economy has exceeded $8 billion, while more than 2,200 companies with Turkish capital are operating in the country. Turkish contractors have also undertaken 325 projects with a total value of $9.3 billion. The two countries aim to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion, with a subsequent target of $10 billion.

Newspaper “Milliyet” highlighted Uzbekistan’s initiatives to establish a “Digital Turkic Corridor”, create a Turkic Cybersecurity Alliance to protect digital infrastructure, and form an Industrial Alliance. The latter is intended to expand industrial cooperation in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, pharmaceuticals, textiles and other sectors.

Publication also noted proposals to establish a Green Transformation Consortium and introduce an electronic “Turkic Green Corridors” system. Overall, the Turkish press is focusing on Uzbekistan’s practical initiatives to increase mutual investment, develop transport links and establish joint production facilities within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).