UAE and Uzbekistan to expand partnership to modernise more government services

The two countries to strengthen cooperation in economy, manufacturing and tourism sectors

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. 4 AUGUST 2020. Dubai skyline. (Photo: Reem Mohammed/The National) Reporter: Section:

The UAE and Uzbekistan are broadening the scope of a strategic partnership aimed at modernising government practices by adding new sectors such as the economy, manufacturing and tourism, according to officials from the two countries.

The pact, which was first signed in April last year, looks to promote best practice in government work, and now covers a total of 147 initiatives across 25 sectors, according to a statement from the UAE's Ministry of Cabinet Affairs. It aims to encourage capacity building through the launch of joint initiatives and projects that rely on successful UAE government models.

The broadening of the partnership "embodies the successful bilateral cooperation model and the long-lasting relations between the two countries and their leaderships”, Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, UAE minister of cabinet affairs, said.

“[The] UAE has been adopting a purposeful approach towards building a better future for communities and promoting global development, by establishing a leading global model of cooperation, partnerships, and exchanging of experiences with world countries,” Mr Al Gergawi added.

Sardor Umurzakov, Uzebekistan’s deputy prime minister and minister of investment and foreign trade, commended the UAE's government work and said his country has managed to build its capabilities, develop new strategies and "enhance its preparedness thanks to this partnership".

The expanded strategic partnership includes three new initiatives to increase food and vegetable exports from Uzbekistan to the UAE, encourage specialist Emirati companies from various industrial sectors to invest in Uzbekistan and to strengthen the central Asian country's Islamic finance sector.

The initiatives will be implemented by the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, national industrial companies, the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre and tourism authorities in the UAE, according to the statement.

The two countries are also cooperating in the energy sector. Abu Dhabi’s clean energy company Masdar signed a power purchase agreement with the government of Uzbekistan to design, finance, build and operate a 500 megawatt, utility-scale wind project in June.

The wind farm will be built in the in the Zarafshon district of the Navoi region and commercial operations are targeted to start in 2024. Masdar did not disclose the total investment in the project.