“Central Asia is a promising market for us, one that we have been focusing on in our business strategy for a long time. High-level talks between representatives of Uzbekistan and European business leaders confirm that European technology and experience can contribute significantly to the sustainable development of transport infrastructure in this Central Asian country,” commented Petr Novotný, CEO Škoda Group, on the meeting.
At the meeting, Škoda Group presented its strategic plan to enter the Uzbek market through a joint venture. According to the plans, the joint venture will focus on three main areas:
- local assembly of railway vehicles;
- maintenance and servicing throughout the entire life cycle of the vehicles;
- establishment of the Škoda Academy for local education and professional development.
“Each of the three areas represents a concrete step towards fulfilling the new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the European Global Gateway strategy. We consider Uzbekistan to be a country that is opening up to new investments from European business partners. It has long been in our sights in terms of our strategic ambitions. We therefore very much welcome the opportunity to contribute to the development of sustainable transport, education and technological modernisation in the local market,” adds Petr Novotný.
During the meeting, Uzbek Minister of Transport Maxkamov Ilhom Rustamovich also held bilateral talks with representatives of Škoda Group. Together, they discussed specific steps for cooperation in the areas of rail and urban transport. President Mirziyoyev praised the Škoda Group’s contribution to the development of the transport sector in Uzbekistan, particularly the transfer of European technology and know-how. He also expressed his support for the Škoda Group’s long-term presence on the Uzbek market.
Roman Sorkin, Vice President Sales for Central Asia and the South Caucasus, also participated in the meeting on behalf of Škoda Group. He has long been involved in developing cooperation with the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and partners in Brussels, within the framework of which this initiative was created.
The meeting took place following the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA). The document was signed by the European Union and Uzbekistan and represents a new strategic framework for cooperation in the areas of investment, transport, energy, trade and sustainable development. In the future, it should lay the foundation for new opportunities for European companies in the Uzbek market and support the implementation of projects in the spirit of the Global Gateway strategic initiative. The financing of the projects will be covered by the European Investment Bank (EIB) with the active support of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA).
