Uzbekistan plans to create joint pharmaceutical productions with Kyrgyzstan to enter the market of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
Speaking at the Kyrgyz-Uzbek business forum, Uzbekistan's Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov noted that although Uzbekistan is not a member of the EAEU, industrial cooperation with Kyrgyzstan opens new opportunities. According to him, Kyrgyzstan imports pharmaceutical products worth over $2 billion annually. Demand in South Asian countries amounts to about $65 billion, while the EAEU market volume reaches $30 billion.
Kudratov also highlighted the electrical engineering industry as a promising area for cooperation. Due to abundant reserves of copper, aluminum and other raw materials in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, joint production of transformers, electric motors, cable products and other electrical equipment is possible. Over the past three years, Uzbekistan has expanded its electrical engineering exports to 162 countries worldwide.
Furthermore, cooperation in agriculture, textile industry and livestock breeding was proposed. In November, a project for industrial potato cultivation is planned to start in Issyk-Kul region, and in October, the 'Friendship Garden' project for seedling cultivation in Chui region. Uzbekistan is also interested in developing cooperation in wool and leather processing and joint textile production.