BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 9. Uzbekistan and the
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) discussed expanding
technical assistance and developing joint projects in transport
infrastructure, local production and human capital during a meeting
in Tashkent.
This was reflected in the statement by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of
Economy and Finance, following a meeting between Uzbek Deputy
Economy and Finance Minister Khurshed Mustafayev and a JICA
delegation led by Katsura Miyazaki, the agency’s executive senior
vice president and chief sustainability officer, to review ongoing
cooperation and identify priorities for future engagement.
The discussions focused on supporting Uzbekistan’s socioeconomic
development, expanding technical assistance programs and advancing
potential joint initiatives.
Particular attention was paid to the “One Village, One Product”
(OVOP) initiative, which supports local producers by helping them
develop, process, package and brand their products. The parties
exchanged views on opportunities to expand the initiative and
improve the marketability of locally made goods.
Additionally, the meeting covered potential projects to develop
transport infrastructure, including road reconstruction, as well as
initiatives in the social sector and human capital development.
The JICA delegation included Masayoshi Takehara, deputy director
general of the agency’s Department of Central Asia and the
Caucasus; Yoshito Urano, director of its Private Sector Development
Group; and Mamoru Sakai, chief representative of the JICA
Uzbekistan Office, along with other representatives.
Following the meeting, both sides expressed their readiness to
strengthen bilateral cooperation, continue consultations on the
discussed priorities and work toward implementing joint
initiatives.
JICA is Japan’s development cooperation agency, providing
technical assistance, concessional financing and other forms of
support to partner countries for socioeconomic development.
