STORY: Foreign investments in Uzbekistan nearly doubled in 2023, president says
SHOOTING TIME: May 2, 2024
DATELINE: May 2, 2024
LENGTH: 00:00:39
LOCATION: Tashkent
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the forum

STORYLINE:

The Uzbek economy has soared in recent years, with foreign investments nearly doubling last year, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on Thursday.
   
In his opening speech at the third Tashkent International Investment Forum, held in the capital of Uzbekistan, Mirziyoyev said his country has prioritized economic liberalization, the provision of a favorable investment climate and broad opportunities for entrepreneurs as the main goals of its systemic reforms.
   
"Last year alone, growth rates reached 6 percent, while inflation remained below 9 percent. The trade turnover is steadily increasing. The stability of the national currency and foreign exchange reserves are being maintained," he said.
   
He also noted that over the past years, the country has attracted more than 60 billion U.S. dollars in foreign investments, and over 14 billion dollars have been allocated to social and infrastructure projects from international financial institutions.
   
In addition, Mirziyoyev said that Uzbekistan has developed a series of specific measures to support entrepreneurship and business in other priority areas, including an exemption from taxes on dividends received from shares for foreign investors for a period of three years.
   
The first Tashkent International Investment Forum took place in 2022. This year's event will see over 2,500 people from across the world participating.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Tashkent.
(XHTV)