H.E.Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, held a series of bilateral meetings with Uzbek government officials to discuss enhancing cooperation and exploring new avenues for joint collaboration. This came as part of the 7th session of the Egyptian-Uzbek Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, which was held in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent.
Al-Mashat met with H.E. Jamshid Khodjayev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as H.E. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, and Mr. Umid Shadiev, Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism, with the presence of Mr. Tamer Hammad, the Egyptian Ambassador to Uzbekistan.
Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan
The meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan featured constructive discussions on empowering the private sector, increasing cooperation between investors, and enhancing public-private partnerships to implement priority projects in both countries, particularly in electricity, renewable energy, and infrastructure. They also discussed expanding partnerships in pharmaceutical registration and manufacturing, addressing challenges facing private sector companies in both countries, and promoting the textile, cotton, and food security industries. Both sides explored opportunities for knowledge exchange.
During the meeting, Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted Uzbekistan's historical and economic importance as a vital hub in Central Asia and Egypt’s gateway to this important region, while Egypt serves as a gateway for Uzbekistan to African and Middle Eastern markets.
Dr. Al-Mashat stressed that the Egyptian-Uzbek partnership represents a strategic step toward achieving sustainable development and strengthening the ties between the two countries. She invited the Uzbek government and private sector to explore the investment opportunities available in Egypt, especially in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, which hosts various industries and serves as a platform for exports to the region and Africa.
For his part, the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan welcomed Egyptian companies operating in various sectors in Uzbekistan and emphasized the importance of increasing these investments to meet local demand across different fields. He noted the valuable expertise of Egyptian private sector companies, especially in the development of new and green cities. The Uzbek government is keen to benefit from Egypt’s experience in areas such as new cities, electricity networks, and sustainable transport.
Meetings with the Minister of Ecology and Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism
Dr. Al-Mashat also met with Mr. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, and Mr. Umid Shadiev, Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism. During the meeting, Dr. Al-Mashat outlined Egypt’s national efforts in the field of climate action and promoting green transitions, highlighting the success of Egypt’s hosting of COP27, which provided a major boost to global efforts to combat climate change.
She also referred to Egypt’s key initiatives, including the "Sharm El Sheikh Guidebook for Just Financing" and the "NWFE" (Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy) country platform, which the ministry oversees and serves as a national platform for attracting climate investments.
In response, the Uzbek Minister of Ecology expressed his country's eagerness to benefit from Egypt’s technical expertise and exchange knowledge in areas related to environmental protection, addressing climate change, and attracting green investments. The two ministers also toured the Ministry’s pollution monitoring center.
Dr. Al-Mashat also discussed opportunities for cooperation in tourism and civil aviation, with a focus on increasing the flow of tourists between the two countries. Notably, the number of Uzbek tourists visiting Egypt reached 58,443 in 2023 and 42,443 in 2024, with potential for further growth, reflecting Egypt’s positive image in Uzbekistan.
Broader Cooperation Discussions
The meetings included comprehensive discussions on various areas of cooperation in light of the Egyptian-Uzbek Joint Committee's proceedings. These discussions covered opportunities for collaboration in key economic sectors, considering the capabilities of both countries, such as agriculture, livestock, natural resources, petroleum and mineral resources, energy, industry, tourism, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. The meetings also emphasized increasing investment opportunities in these sectors in line with Egypt’s commitment to these priorities.