The III International Investment Forum (IIIF) successfully completed its work in Uzbekistan. The event gathered more than 2.5 thousand participants from 93 countries, providing a platform for global dialog and exchange of best practices in the investment sphere.
One of the key events of the forum was the presentation of regional energy projects (construction of Kambarata HPP-1 and Javan HPP) to foreign investors. The presentation was held with the participation of the Prime Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, which emphasized the importance of these projects for the entire region.
The forum attracted the attention of international media and was covered by more than 110 foreign publications from 30 countries, including the world’s leading media: “CNN”, “Euronews”, “London Post” and “Associated Press”.
As a result of TMIF, agreements totaling $26.6 billion were signed, which is evidence of Uzbekistan’s high investment attractiveness and the success of the forum. For comparison, 167 documents worth $11 billion were signed at TMIF in 2022, which demonstrates a significant increase in investment interest in the country.
In particular, agreements were reached on the realization of the following major investment projects:
– “Data Volt” from Saudi Arabia will be engaged in the construction of urban infrastructure in “New Tashkent” for the amount of $1 billion, as well as create a “data center” based on green technologies for the amount of $3 billion.
– Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power is implementing projects to build a 5 GW wind farm in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and create 2 GW of electricity storage capacity for a total of $6.2 billion.
– UAE-based Amea Power will implement a $1.1 billion project to build a 1,000 MW wind farm in the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
– Saudi Tabrid will start modernization of the heat supply system in Nukus, Fergana and Kuvasai at a cost of $750 million.
– Egypt’s Nil Shugar will grow sugar beets and produce sugar in Jizzak oblast at a cost of $500 million.
– The Chinese company Shanghai Knud International is implementing a $205 million project to produce textile and garment products in Namangan region.
– The company “Wilmar International” (Singapore) will produce food products and confectionery in Tashkent region to the amount of $200 million dollars.
In addition, the forum reached agreements with a number of the world’s largest companies, such as “Orascom Investment” (Egypt), “Bonafarm Grup” (Hungary), “Sayar” (USA), “Goldwind”, “Sinoma” (China), “Sam Yapi” (Turkey), “Pasha Development” (Azerbaijan), “Lasselsberger” (Austria), “Petrosat Chexelsoton” (Iran) on realization of new investment projects worth $6.6 billion.
The event included a rich program of panel sessions, discussions, business breakfasts and round tables where the most important aspects of economic development were discussed. The central topic was the role of the government, investors and entrepreneurs in supporting small and medium-sized businesses.
At the session devoted to anti-corruption, experts emphasized that the effective fight against corruption and crime in the economy is a key factor for improving the investment climate. They noted that creating a safe and transparent business environment plays an important role in this process.
“A successful fight against corruption requires a comprehensive approach that includes strengthening legislation and increasing transparency of government actions,” said Akmal Burkhanov, director of the Agency for Countering Corruption of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The session devoted to retail trade outlined the main challenges and opportunities for the industry. The participants expressed their opinion on the need to improve tax legislation and simplify import procedures. They also noted that it is important to create conditions for successful adaptation of new brands on the market.
“Thanks to the decree on the reduction of customs duties, we managed to set fair prices like in the UK and Kazakhstan,” shared Ilya Lyapustin, Sales and Marketing Director of Tashkent City Mall.
The business breakfast dedicated to women’s entrepreneurship emphasized the significant impact of businesswomen on society. Speakers presented inspiring examples and strategies for striking a balance between profitability and social responsibility.
The focus was on attracting foreign investment through residence permit programs.
“Over the past few years, Uzbekistan has established itself as an attractive destination for global investors due to its openness to cooperation and prospects in the real estate sector,” said Akram Mukhamatkulov of Henley&Partners.
The roundtable “Supply Chains and Sustainability: finding a balance in the face of uncertainty” discussed the challenges and strategies to ensure the sustainability of global supply chains.
“Turkey and Uzbekistan have a strategic partnership, and we can significantly strengthen cooperation by working together,” said Turkish Deputy Trade Minister Sezay Ucarmak.
The experts also emphasized the importance of integrating digital technologies into investment strategies. They noted that digitalization is not the future, but already today, and plays a key role in accelerating investment processes and increasing transparency.
At the pitch session “IT-PARK Uzbekistan: New Development Prospects”, plans to turn Uzbekistan into a regional center of information technologies by 2030 were presented.
Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, spoke about the significance of recent investments. “Yesterday we witnessed an important event – the start of construction of the $5 billion Data Volt green data center, which is a major foreign direct investment project. We are creating a favorable environment for IT companies and launching a Zero Risk program to cover all risks associated with opening and running offices in Uzbekistan,” he said.
At the round table “Connections: Revival of the Great Silk Road”, international experts and representatives of state bodies explored opportunities to expand ties, economic cooperation and cultural exchange along the ancient routes of the Silk Road.
At the roundtable “Integrated Urban Planning: Quality Investments, Comfort for Environment and People”, leading urbanists, architects and representatives of the business community discussed approaches to the development of the city of Tashkent. In particular, BCG Managing Director and Senior Partner Vladislav Butenko emphasized the importance of integrating innovative solutions into urban planning to achieve sustainable urban development. He emphasized that both economic and social aspects should be taken into account in integrated planning, ensuring a balance between them.
The Forum has played an important role in attracting investments for various ministries and regions of Uzbekistan. The agreements signed demonstrate the development of key sectors such as industry, energy, pharmaceuticals and automobile manufacturing.
One of the main achievements of the forum was the agreement between the Ministry of Digital Technologies, the Ministry of Energy and IT company Data Volt on the construction of a data center based on “green” technologies. Experts noted the importance of such projects for Uzbekistan. Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov and Data Volt director Rajit Nanda took part in the signing ceremony.
The III International Investment Forum in Tashkent has come to an end, but the planned initiatives and signed agreements promise active work on attracting investments and ensuring sustainable development. Uzbekistan has reaffirmed its role as a strategic partner in the international arena, attracting the attention of global investors and contributing to the economic growth of the region.
The forum was also attended by representatives of Ukraine, including pharmaceutical business and agro-industrial complex.
In January-April this year, Ukraine increased imports of coke and semi-coke in physical terms by 4.86 times compared to the same period last year, up to 156.255 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Friday, coke imports in monetary terms increased 3.5 times to $56.096 million during this period.
In the first four months of the year, the country exported 46 tons of coke worth $16 thousand to Moldova (93.75%) and Latvia (6.25%) (in January and March 2014, there were no exports, in 4 months of 2013, 32.168 thousand tons of coke and semi-coke were exported for $16.095 million).
Imports were carried out mainly from Poland (89.84% of supplies in monetary terms), China (5.72%) and the Czech Republic (3.49%).
As reported, in 2023, Ukraine reduced imports of coke and semi-coke in physical terms by 8.5% compared to 2022 – to 328.697 thousand tons, while imports in monetary terms decreased by 25.8% to $129.472 million.
In 2023, Ukraine exported 3,383 thousand tons of coke, down 12.3% compared to 2022. In monetary terms, it decreased by 22.2% to $787 thousand.
Exports were carried out to Moldova (100% of supplies in monetary terms), while imports were mainly from Poland (88.47%), Colombia (7.72%) and the Czech Republic (3.15%).
In 2022, Ukraine decreased exports of coke and semi-coke in physical terms by 98% compared to the previous year to 3,856 thousand tons, and in monetary terms by 97.6% to $1,011 million. The main exports were made to Hungary (42.63% of supplies in monetary terms), Georgia (37.69%) and Turkey (17.41%).
In 2022, Ukraine imported 359.192 thousand tons of coke and semi-coke, which is 54.5% less than in 2021. In monetary terms, imports decreased by 50.3% to $174.499 million. Imports were carried out mainly from the Russian Federation (43.43% of supplies in monetary terms, before the war), Poland (30.07%) and the Czech Republic (13.15%).
As a result of the war, a number of mines and coke plants are located in the territories temporarily not controlled by Ukraine.
In January-April this year, Ukrainian companies increased imports of copper and copper products by 41.4% in value terms compared to the same period last year, to $53.034 million.
According to customs statistics released by the State Customs Service of Ukraine on Friday, exports of copper and copper products decreased by 8.1% to $25.077 million over the period.
In April, Ukraine imported $11.015 million worth of copper and exported $6.949 million.
In addition, in January-April 2024, Ukraine increased imports of nickel and products by 60.1% compared to the same period in 2023 to $8.484 million (in April – $787 thousand million), aluminum and aluminum products by 26.6% to $136.761 million (in April – $38.235 million).
At the same time, it reduced imports of lead and lead products by 13.8% to $406 thousand (in April – $124 thousand), imports of tin and tin products increased by 10.2% to $887 thousand (in April – $267 thousand), and increased imports of zinc and zinc products by 59.9% to $17.217 million (in April – $5.357 million).
Exports of aluminum and aluminum products in the first four months of 2024 increased by 5% compared to the same period a year earlier to $33.008 million (in April – $9.608 million), lead and lead products decreased by 35.3% to $3.537 million (in April – $703 thousand), nickel and nickel products amounted to $217 thousand (in April – $123 thousand), while in January-April 2023 it was $104 thousand.
Zinc exports for the first four months of this year amounted to $73 thousand (in April – $29 thousand), while in January-April 2023 it amounted to $48 thousand. Exports of tin and products amounted to $107 thousand (in April – $26 thousand) against $48 thousand in the same period a year earlier.
As reported, in 2023, Ukraine increased imports of copper and copper products by 2.2 times compared to 2022 – up to $140.795 million, while exports decreased by 20.1% to $72.078 million.
In addition, in 2023, Ukraine decreased imports of nickel and products by 74.2% compared to 2022, to $15.391 million, and increased imports of aluminum and aluminum products by 7.7%, to $366.463 million.
At the same time, it reduced imports of lead and lead products by 65.2% to $989 thousand, imports of tin and tin products by 23% to $2.728 million, but increased imports of zinc and zinc products by 18.8% to $45.966 million.
Exports of aluminum and aluminum products last year increased by 0.7% compared to 2022 to $97.616 million, lead and lead products increased by 23.5% to $14.778 million, and nickel and nickel products amounted to $532 thousand, while in 2022 it was $1.268 million.
In 2023, the company exported $130 thousand worth of zinc, compared to $1.331 million in 2022. Exports of tin and tin products amounted to $159 thousand against $424 thousand in 2022.
In 2022, Ukrainian enterprises reduced imports of copper and copper products in value terms by 64.3% compared to the previous year to $65.370 million, while their exports decreased by 56.3% to $90.245 million.
In addition, in 2022, Ukraine reduced imports of nickel and nickel products by 49.9% compared to 2021, to $59.754 million, and aluminum and aluminum products by 33.4%, to $340.398 million. At the same time, it reduced imports of lead and lead products by 66.6%, to $2.839 million.
Imports of tin and tin products fell by 33.5% to $3.312 million, while imports of zinc and zinc products decreased by 58.7% to $38.690 million.
In 2022, exports of aluminum and aluminum products decreased by 42.7% compared to 2021, to $96.972 million, lead and lead products – by 68.7%, to $11.970 million, and nickel and nickel products – by 73.9%, to $1.268 million.
Zinc exports in 2022 amounted to $1.331 million, while in 2021 they amounted to $550 thousand. Exports of tin and products in 2022 amounted to $424 thousand, compared to $346 thousand in the previous year.
IC “Express Insurance” (Kiev) in January-April of this year made payments to the amount of UAH 148.3 million, which is 61.3% more than the same period of 2023.
According to the insurer’s website, including payments on CASCO amounted to UAH 125 million (58.2% more), on MTPL – UAH 19.6 million (+2.1 times), VHI – UAH 2.1 million (-11.9%), from other types of insurance – UAH 1.6 million (+14.9%).
Express Insurance Ltd. was founded in 2008 and is a part of UkrAvto group of companies. The company specializes in motor insurance. Since April 2012 it is an associate member of the Motor Transport Insurance Bureau of Ukraine.
President of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Chaputova arrived in Kyiv on a farewell visit, the press secretary of the Slovak head of state Martin Stryzhynets said, Extra Plus reports.
It is noted that for security reasons, the program of the visit is not reported.
“President of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Chaputova arrived in Kyiv on Friday morning on a farewell visit to Ukraine, the press secretary of the head of state Martin Stryzhynets said. The president’s term in office is coming to an end. During her farewell visits, she visits different countries,” the newspaper writes.
Land plots are being bought even more than in 2021
Ukrainians began to buy and sell land and real estate more actively in the first quarter of 2024, according to the Unified Register of Notarial Forms of the Ministry of Justice. Over 185,000 land alienation agreements were registered during this period. This is 36.4% more than before the full-scale invasion. And alienations of other real estate increased by 55% – but this is still less than in 2021.
In 2024, Ukrainians are more likely to sell or transfer land to other ownership. In particular, 185 thousand land alienation agreements were drawn up by notaries in the first quarter of 2024. This is 56% more than in the same period last year: then notaries certified almost 119 thousand such forms.
The number of such agreements is already a third higher than before the start of the full-scale war. Back then, in 2021, more than 136 thousand land alienation agreements were formalized.
At the same time, the number of alienations of real estate other than land has increased by one and a half times this year. Thus, in the first quarter of this year, notaries certified more than 181 thousand such forms. For comparison, in the same period last year, there were almost 117 thousand such transactions.
However, this is still 16% less than before the full-scale campaign began: just over 216 thousand forms were used for land alienation.
It should be noted that one notarial act does not always require only one notarial form. Accordingly, the number of actions is approximate and is compared to previous years.
It should be reminded that the total number of notarial forms used last year increased by 2.6 million) , but still remains lower than before the outbreak of full-scale war.
