U.S. assistant secretary of commerce, Uzbek officials discuss economic cooperation

Interfax November 15 U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce William Lash discusses with Uzbek officials in Tashkent the outlook for trade between their countries, an official in the Uzbek government's press service told Interfax on Friday. The two sides are also expected to discuss the role that Uzbekistan can play in rebuilding Afghanistan, the official said. The United States is now one of Uzbekistan's top 10 trading partners, Ilkhom Zakirov, head of the Uzbek Foreign Ministry's press service has told Interfax. Trade between the two countries totaled nearly $354 million in the first three quarters of 2004, a 45% year on year increase, with Uzbekistan having exported to the United States $118.2 million and importing from the U.S. $236.1 million worth of goods, he said.