Uzbek Embassy in Ankara organized a meeting with the authorities of the Hatay region of Turkey.
Uzbekistan’s tourism and investment potential has been promoted during the meetings in the Municipality of Hatay province, at the Chamber of Commerce of the region, and at the meeting with the Association of Business People of Hatay province. Uzbek Embassy held meetings and negotiations with representatives and management of business circles of the province. The representatives of the Turkish side commended and appreciated the profound changes going on in Uzbekistan, dynamical development of mutual cooperation between Turkey and Uzbekistan, and expressed their interest in building direct and mutually beneficial cooperation together.
Antakya city Mayor Lutfi Savas noted that Uzbek and Turkish nations are closely connected due to their historical roots going back to centuries, as well as national, cultural, and spiritual values. The Mayor has specifically mentioned that Antakya residents have a loving and respectful attitude to Uzbekistan, considering it as a part of their own identity. According to the Mayor’s words, plenty of people here in Antakya originate from Turkestan and are inseparably linked to Uzbekistan by their historical-cultural ties and bonds.
The Uzbek side presented the Chamber of Commerce of Hatay province the list of potential projects on cooperation and attracting Turkish businesses in such sectors as tourism, textile, pharmacy, leather, and shoe production and agro-industry. Additionally, information on special incentives and benefits offered for foreign investors by Uzbekistan has also been provided to the Turkish side. Brochures and handbooks about the tax-free economic zones and tourism opportunities of Uzbekistan have also been handed to the Turkish side.
The sides have agreed on holding additional meetings and negotiations with Hatay province entrepreneurs in the near future at the embassy, as well as organizing the visit of Hatay delegation to Uzbekistan as soon as the pandemic situation in the world and both countries are back to normal.
The governor of Hatay province Rahmi Dogan proposed to organize a separate stand for Uzbekistan during the International Exhibition “Expo - 2021 Hatay”, which will be held next year. Thus he offered to hold a promotional campaign on the opportunities in the tourism field, particularly by placing billboards promoting “ziyarat tourism” (pilgrimage tourism) in Uzbekistan in Antakya city. The Governor also offered to organize regular informative trips and visits of Hatay representatives to Uzbekistan.
