Professor Dr. Vusal Gasimli, Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), received a delegation led by Obid Hakimov, Deputy Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms.

Vusal Gasimli noted that the cooperation between the two countries has entered a new phase with the "Agreement on Alliance Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Uzbekistan," signed during the state visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Uzbekistan. He informed the guests about the current state of economic, trade, and investment relations, as well as the future directions for development. Additionally, he presented potential project proposals, highlighting the contribution of CAERC to the implementation of the "Practical Action Plan for 2024-2025 on the Further Expansion of Economic, Trade, and Investment Cooperation between the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan" (the "Road Map").

The Executive Director of CAERC mentioned that last year, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan was close to 180 million USD, and in the first five months of 2024, this figure reached 70 million USD. To further increase these numbers and realize the existing potential, he emphasized the need for continued mutual contacts and meetings in various formats. Gasimli also discussed future goals related to energy cooperation, especially the export of electricity from Central Asia to Europe, and highlighted the main priorities in this area. He also recalled the Memorandum signed in 2021 between the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication and the Center for Economic Research and Reforms of Uzbekistan, emphasizing the significant projects implemented under that agreement in recent years.

Obid Hakimov, head of the Uzbek delegation, Deputy Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, praised Azerbaijan's dynamic economic development. He emphasized the importance of cooperation with CAERC and expressed interest in learning from Azerbaijan's experiences to support Uzbekistan's socio-economic development. He highlighted the importance of enhancing relations between the two countries in trade, investment, and strategic partnerships and expressed readiness to collaborate on increasing trade turnover, promoting mutual investments, and deepening economic integration.

Following this, presentations were given on CAERC's program management modules, including the "azranking.az," "Azexport," "Digital Trade Hub" (dth.az), and "EnterpriseAzerbaijan" portals.

Presentations were made by Aykhan Gadashov, Head of the "Azexport.az" portal, Yana Krimpe, founder of "B.EST Solutions," Matanat Musayeva, Head of the "EnterpriseAzerbaijan" portal, and representatives of CAERC, Gunay Guliyeva and Sabina Jumazade.

Finally, both parties agreed on future steps to implement joint projects in trade and investment and to strengthen economic cooperation.