United States Trade and Development Agency and Uzbek state companies sign memoranda of understanding on cooperation


U.S. Embassy
December 13

On Wednesday, December 12, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Regional Director for Eurasia Daniel Stein signed memoranda of understanding with the Uzbek Agency for Post and Telecommunication (UAPT), the National Joint Stock Company "Uzbekiston Temir Yullari" (Uzbekistan Railroads), the Uzbek State Joint Stock Company "Uzbekenergo", the National Tourism Company "Uzbek Tourism" and the Joint Stock Company "Uztibmahsulot". These memoranda signal the intent of USTDA to focus cooperative efforts on specific projects, including those in the telecommunication, railway transport, energy, tourism infrastructure and medical spheres.

"The documents signed today represent the first step in improving the framework Memorandum of Understanding that Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Azimov and I signed in Washington less than two months ago," stated USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey. "We are pleased that USTDA has been able to respond so quickly to the Government of Uzbekistan's determination to implement economic reforms and modernize its infrastructure with U.S. private sector participation."

A USTDA/Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) teams from Washington, D.C. and the Caspian Finance Center in Ankara, Turkey are in Uzbekistan to follow up on a number of projects discussed during the recent visit of an Uzbek delegation led by Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Azimov to Washington. During that visit, USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey and Mr. Azimov signed a Memorandum of Understanding on economic cooperation.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) promotes American private sector participation by assisting U.S. companies pursue business opportunities in developing and middle income countries. Through the funding of feasibility studies, orientation visits, specialized training grants, business workshops, and various forms of technical assistance, USTDA helps American businesses compete for infrastructure projects in emerging markets. Moreover, the agency promotes capacity-building initiatives and supports U.S. government trade, economic policy and development objectives throughout the world.