One of the largest events dedicated to the 2200th anniversary of the city of Tashkent – capital of Uzbekistan became the business-forum “Economic and investment potential of Tashkent”, the national news agencies reported.

The Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of Uzbekistan, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, Tashkent city municipality and Uzinfoinvest Agency are reported to have organized the forum.

The heads of ministries and agencies, local and joint ventures, representatives of business circles of Uzbekistan and foreign states, as well as diplomatic corps and international organizations accredited in the country took part at the forum.

Today Tashkent, the city with a centuries-old history, which soon will commemorate its 2200th jubilee, is a modern mega-polis with a developed transport, social infrastructure, numerous companies of the main branches of economy, scientific, educational and cultural establishments that meet international standards.

In 2008 Tashkent enjoyed a significant growth practically in all parameters. For instanc, the volume of industrial goods produced by the companies in Tashkent rose by 36.8 percent as compared to 2007, foreign trade – by 15.5 percent, exports volume – by 22.6 percent.

The companies of electro technical, aircraft building and machinery branch supplied with the latest technologies and equipments secure the leading place in the industry of the city. Many light and food industrial companies produce quality goods that are in high demand among the local people. Over 30,000 companies of small business and private entrepreneurship are now operating in Tashkent.

The Head of the Central Asian Fund to support small companies George Nicholson said that thanks to well-thought-out economic policy now being conducted in Uzbekistan, the country is rather protected from the impact of global economic crisis with foreign investments continuing to be attracted into the sphere of small and private entrepreneurship since all conditions have been created for the development of this sphere.

Santosh Kumar Jane, the Director-General of Spentex Company, has also noted the good prospects in extending production in Uzbekistan.

At the moment, the company employs about 5,000 people on the two territories located in the capital city and Tashkent Province. Mr. Santosh Kumar said that Uzbekistan has a large production, human resources potential in textile and other sectors of economy, and Spentex this year would plan to channel additional means to developing production.

Zafar Abdughaffarov for the Information Agency “Jahon” in English