Ivan Belozertsev and Fariddin Nasriyev met on Friday, March 5, 2021.
The programme of the delegation's two-day's stay in our region included a meeting with compatriots and leaders of the Uzbek diaspora and talks with the Penza Oblast businessmen as well as with students from the Republic of Uzbekistan studying at the Penza State University.
The Governor stressed that Uzbekistan is the Penza Oblast's strategic partner in the field of economic, cultural and social relations.
"Foreign trade turnover is growing between the Penza Oblast and the regions of Uzbekistan. In January-December 2020, it amounted to about 15 million US dollars – this is 46% more than in 2019," the Governor said.
Food products and agricultural raw materials; machinery, equipment and vehicles; wood and pulp and paper products; textiles and footwear; metals and products made from them prevailed in the export pattern.
"Official visits and business missions, participation in joint events of international level contribute to success in foreign economic activity," Ivan Belozertsev stressed.
In September 2018, a delegation of the Andijan Region of the Republic of Uzbekistan, headed by Shukhratbek Abdurakhmanov, hokim of the Andijan Region, visited Penza. A protocol of intent on the development of cooperation was signed.
In the same year, the delegation from the Penza Oblast took part in the first forum of interregional cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan which was also attended by the heads of state. Business missions of the Penza Oblast enterprises in Tashkent and the Republic of Uzbekistan enterprises in Penza were also held.
In 2021, an ethnographic expedition of the Penza regional branch of the Russian Geographical Society to Uzbekistan is planned. Its purpose is a detailed study of the peculiarities of the Russian-speaking population's inhabitancy. The summary will be published in a printed publication. Along the route, it is planned to hold working meetings, round tables, where ways to expand cooperation and strengthen ties will be discussed.
"The work is useful for both sides," stated Ivan Belozertsev, aiming at further strengthening of economic and cultural ties.
The Governor noted the need for close cooperation in the labour and education spheres.
"14 citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan are studying in thr Penza Oblast universities. They have proven themselves: they actively participate in public events, forums and festivals held in the Penza Oblast. I believe that 14 people are too few," he said.
"The Penza Oblast has a great pedagogical institute. I am sure that cooperation in the field of higher education will further strengthen the socio-economic and humanitarian ties between the Penza Oblast and the regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan," Ivan Belozertsev explained.
Fariddin Nasriyev confirmed the interest of the Republic of Uzbekistan in strengthening relations further.
"The Russian Federation is a strategic partner of the Republic of Uzbekistan," he said. "We have a lot of resourses that we should use together, with the Penza Oblast too".
"We are ready for new forms of interaction," the Governor summed up.
