AKIPRESS.COM - President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa held official talks at the State Palace of Mongolia, UzA reported.

Current issues related to developing friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and Mongolia were discussed.

Contacts and exchanges at all levels have intensified. Trade turnover indicators are growing dynamically. The number of joint ventures is expanding, and the implementation of initial cooperation projects has begun in healthcare, education, e-commerce, agriculture, and the production of construction materials.

On the eve of the visit, a joint business forum was successfully held with the broad participation of business communities and sectoral agencies of both countries, and a trade house with a showroom of Uzbek products was opened in Ulaanbaatar.

During the talks, special attention was given to deepening economic cooperation.

The potential for a multiple increase in mutual trade over the coming years was noted, primarily through expanding the range and volume of supplies of high-demand goods.

The importance of expediting the adoption of preferential trade and investment protection agreements was emphasized.

The President of Uzbekistan advocated for deeper industrial cooperation in specific sectors of the economy. Several promising areas of collaboration were identified as priorities.

These include, first and foremost, partnership in the extractive sector, such as the development of a geological exploration program, the exploitation of raw material deposits, technology transfer, experience exchange, and personnel training.

The opening of a representative office of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Geology in Ulaanbaatar, aimed at promoting projects in this sector, was noted with satisfaction.

Interest was expressed in deepening comprehensive cooperation in agriculture through the creation of joint clusters and the advancement of cooperation projects in the processing and producing meat and dairy products, wool, and leather goods.

Special attention was given to strengthening transport connectivity and developing new logistics routes. Plans were outlined to launch direct air service between the two capitals by the end of the year.

A proposal was made to conduct applied research, jointly with the International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries, to identify the shortest and most efficient transport corridors.

The importance of continuing active cultural and humanitarian exchanges was emphasized. It was noted with satisfaction that the Uzbek Culture Days and events in art and tourism are currently being held in Ulaanbaatar.

An agreement was reached to actively develop cooperation between higher education institutions and resume the enrollment of Mongolian youth in Uzbekistan universities within the framework of allocated quotas.

It was agreed to adopt a roadmap for the timely and effective implementation of the agreements reached.

In conclusion, the President of Uzbekistan invited the President of Mongolia to pay a return visit to Uzbekistan.