Azernews.Az

By Abdul Kerimkhanov

In the near future it is planned to create a Dutch Agrotechnology Center in Uzbekistan, Uzbek media reported.

A meeting of the project participants at the headquarters of the Dutch company Leli took place on December 17.

Representatives of a number of leading Dutch firms and companies, as well as the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands, discussed the practical aspects of project implementation.

A full-cycle cluster will operate in the Center being created with technical assistance from companies from the Netherlands. Dutch technologies for the cultivation of land, agricultural production, animal husbandry, as well as manure processing and storage of agricultural products and the production of finished dairy products (Dutch cheeses) will be introduced there.

Diler Khakimov, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the Benelux countries, presented the project participants detailed information on the latest changes in the agro-industrial policy of the country, including the results of the last visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kashkadarya region. Particular emphasis was placed on the presentation of privileged business conditions for foreign investors.

As emphasized, the implementation of systemic measures in the agrarian sphere has allowed achieving not only qualitative but also very tangible quantitative results. In recent years, the volume of agricultural production has increased as a whole by more than two times. This made it possible to increase per capita meat consumption by 1.3 times, milk and dairy products - by 1.7 times, potatoes - by 7 times, vegetables - by more than 2 times, and fruits - by almost 4 times.

"Experts estimate the export potential of the agricultural sector of Uzbekistan at more than $ 5 billion. The Republic is gradually becoming one of the major exporters of high-quality and competitive fruit and vegetable and dairy products," the Foreign Ministry’s press service said.

At the meeting, the ambassador gave specific answers and substantive explanations on the issues raised by company representatives.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached on the start of the project in early 2019. A visit to Uzbekistan of the companies’ heads included in the consortium will be held in January or the first half of February 2019.

The 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and the Netherlands, which have always developed on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation and mutual respect, has been marked in 2017. The Netherlands attaches great importance to cooperation with Uzbekistan within the EU.

The Netherlands is a world leader in the production of breeding materials, modern technologies, innovations and expert experience in agriculture. High agricultural productivity in the Netherlands is associated with a unique form of interaction between Dutch farmers, breeding farms, technology providers, research centers, food processing companies and the government. The constant flow of investment, high innovation and partnership principles are the unique expertise that the Netherlands is willing to share with its partners around the world.

The Dutch agricultural sector is very productive and innovative. In general, the entire agri-food chain from seeds to the final consumer is fully represented in the Netherlands, where in each segment there are world-class companies.

The agricultural sector has a high level of mechanization. In agriculture, only 2 percent of the working population is employed, but the sector produces significant surplus value, both for the food sector and for export. The Netherlands is the second largest exporter of agri-food products in the world.

The Netherlands is the 20th largest economy in the world and the fifth largest economy in the Eurozone.

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Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94

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