Uzbek Envoy Calls for Stronger Economic Ties with Japan

August 29, 2018

Tokyo- Uzbek Ambassador to Japan Gayrat Fazilov on Tuesday called for stronger economic relations between his country and Japan, saying Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is promoting reforms.

Mirziyoyev is pushing forward drastic reforms in a wide range of sectors, Fazilov said in a speech at the Uzbek embassy in Tokyo ahead of the central Asian country's Independence Day on Saturday.

Fazilov said Uzbekistan is taking steps to improve its business environment, including the liberalization of foreign exchange transactions, the establishment of special economic zones and the creation of an ombudsman association to protect corporate rights.

Referring to post-World War II Japanese detainees sent to Uzbekistan, then part of the now-defunct Soviet Union, Fazilov said Uzbek people treated them with huge respect and solidarity.

Also citing a theater in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent that was built with the participation of these Japanese detainees, Fazilov said the fathers and grandfathers of the current generation have built Uzbekistan together and established the solid foundation of friendship between Japan and Uzbekistan.

The two countries need to preserve this heritage and continue expanding the friendship and cooperation between them, he said. Jiji Press