Mordovia and Uzbekistan: New Technologies, Contracts, and Joint Projects

Mordovia and Uzbekistan: New Technologies, Contracts, and Joint Projects

A briefing by Artem Zdunov, Head of the Republic of Mordovia, was held at the Sputnik Uzbekistan multimedia press center. The briefing focused on the results of the region's business mission to Tashkent and prospects for cooperation with Uzbekistan.

The visit was preceded by several months of preparation and negotiations. During the first days of the business forum in Tashkent, the parties signed a number of agreements. Trade turnover between Mordovia and Uzbekistan has recently increased 2.5-fold, but the potential for cooperation is significantly greater.

"In May, at the Islamic Forum in Kazan, we agreed on key meetings, met with your country's leadership, and reached an agreement on the most pressing areas. And now, in just two or three months, the directors of these companies have prepared the contractual framework. It is very gratifying that the business forum we are holding in Tashkent has culminated in the signing of agreements," Zdunov noted.

He identified localization of production as one of the key areas of cooperation. Mordovia offers its Uzbek partners technologies in pharmaceuticals, railcar manufacturing, electrical engineering, and energy. Specifically, this includes the production of refrigerated and thermos railcars, flexible solar panels, and medical equipment.

"Pharmaceuticals is one of the most promising areas of cooperation. One drug for treating diabetes and obesity, Sirzeta, is produced in Saransk. We will consider how to jointly produce it here, create a production site, and work not only in the Uzbek market, but also, from Uzbekistan's perspective, in neighboring countries. Sirzeta is not the only drug we can produce and sell together. We are also talking about medical and X-ray equipment—not just stationary, but portable, convenient, and available in any form. We are also talking about lighting products," Zdunov said.

Agriculture, livestock farming, and advanced processing are also identified as promising areas. Mordovia is interested in increasing cattle supplies to Uzbekistan, as well as importing Uzbek fruits and other agricultural products. Modern logistics will play a key role.

Special attention is being paid to personnel training. Mordovia's universities are ready to develop student and specialist exchanges in medicine, pharmaceuticals, electrical engineering, radio electronics, and agriculture. Cooperation in secondary vocational education and the training of technical specialists for new industries is also planned.

As part of labor cooperation, Mordovia is interested in the professional development of Uzbek citizens working in the region. The organization of Russian language courses and basic vocational training are under discussion.

The parties also exchanged experiences in preschool education, urban management, public-private partnerships, and child nutrition. Mordovia intends to study the Uzbek experience of family-run kindergartens and is willing to share its own practices in organizing meals in schools and kindergartens.

Family and demographic policies were also discussed. Zdunov, who heads the Russian State Council's "Family" committee, noted interest in the Uzbek experience of creating conditions for families and supporting the birth rate. The "Family Capital" project is being implemented in Mordovia to this end.

Mutual tourism and cultural cooperation were identified as promising areas.

"I always ask what month is best to visit Uzbekistan for a comfortable stay. But you've answered my question. Even in the hottest month, in July, you can always find satisfaction and peace in the mountains of Uzbekistan. We collaborate with theaters in cultural areas. I know that the Karakalpak Puppet Theater collaborates with our puppet theater; they have a direct relationship and an agreement. We have a national theater festival, and theaters from Uzbekistan are also participating. So there's enormous potential here," Zdunov shared.

Summing up, the head of Mordovia highlighted priority areas in which he expects to see concrete results in the coming year: agriculture and livestock farming, pharmaceuticals, and education. The meeting concluded symbolically with a gift from Mordovia to the Uzbek side—a bog oak boomerang. According to Zdunov, it symbolizes cooperation that should be rewarded with new projects and results.