Uzbekistan is set to establish a special economic zone for investors from Japan, according to the president's press service.
On January 21, Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed with Akihiko Tanaka, the president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the expansion of practical cooperation and the promotion of joint initiatives.
The current portfolio of joint projects in the fields of energy, transportation, agriculture, water management, healthcare, education, and other areas exceeds $8 billion. In 2024, a three-year cooperation program was adopted, consisting of 20 projects totaling $2.4 billion.
Additionally, the Uzbek-Japanese Human Resource Development Center and the Youth Innovation Center are operational. Through JICA, over 2,500 Uzbek specialists have completed courses and internships in Japan.
The president supported plans to expand JICA's activities in the republic. The meeting highlighted the importance of private sector projects, the establishment of a special economic zone for Japanese investors, the opening of a Japanese university, and partnerships in vocational education.
The parties agreed on implementing new mechanisms to promote current and prospective projects based on a roadmap.
Recently, the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade (MIPT) and JICA signed a loan agreement for $150 million for the construction and equipping of the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Neurology and Stroke in Tashkent.
Furthermore, a cooperation protocol was concluded between the agencies, outlining the implementation of projects in livestock farming, energy, education, and other sectors.
Earlier, Spot reported that $370 million is planned to be attracted for healthcare from abroad.