Uzbekistan hosts first Surkhandarya–China Investment Forum in Termez
Uzbekistan's Surkhandarya region recently hosted its inaugural Surkhandarya–China Investment Forum, held at the Termez International Trade Center Free Trade Zone. The event brought together Chinese representatives to explore business and investment prospects within the region, as reported by the media agency UzA.
The forum offered Chinese attendees a chance to evaluate the local market, business climate, and potential investment sectors. Participants from Chinese companies and academic institutions also discussed Surkhandarya's strategic location and its potential role in facilitating access to neighboring Afghanistan.
Qu Junqiu, an engineer with Yuntong International Co. Ltd, noted that this forum marked his initial visit to the Surkhandarya region. He stated that the purpose of his visit was to examine local business conditions and identify potential investment opportunities.
"This is my first visit to the Surkhandarya region. My goal is to study the local market and business environment and assess investment opportunities," Qu commented.
Yuntong International specializes in the development and manufacturing of technological solutions for smart homes and intelligent city systems, alongside artificial intelligence-based technologies. Qu also shared his positive experience visiting Termez and expressed gratitude to the organizers for their hospitality towards the delegation. The provided information did not specify whether Yuntong International has identified a particular investment project in Surkhandarya or the potential investment amount under consideration.
During the forum, Lu Chang, a professor at East China Normal University, emphasized Termez's historical background and geographical significance. He pointed out that Termez was historically a part of the Silk Road and was also linked to the development of Buddhism in the area.
"Termez is a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage. Our guides told us that in ancient times, it was one of the most important cities on the Silk Road. It was especially interesting to learn that the city was also known as a center of Buddhism," Lu stated.
Lu further identified access to Afghanistan via Termez as a potential opportunity for Chinese businesses considering expansion into the Afghan market.
"Entering the Afghan market through Termez opens significant opportunities for our entrepreneurs," he remarked.
Surkhandarya, Uzbekistan's southernmost region, shares a border with Afghanistan, and Termez serves as a primary hub for cross-border trade and economic interaction with its southern neighbor. Lu also affirmed that conditions conducive to attracting investment have been established in Surkhandarya.
The Surkhandarya–China Investment Forum was held for the first time at the Termez International Trade Center Free Trade Zone. Based on the information provided, the event primarily aimed to introduce Chinese participants to the region's investment environment and potential avenues for business collaboration.