IICA hosts a meeting with the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia

IICA hosted a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Uzbekistan Yousef Al-Otaibi to discuss further prospects for interaction.

The participants noted with satisfaction the historical connectivity of the peoples of Central Asia and the Gulf countries. This connecting element is based on close trade ties, shared values, traditions, and religion.

In addition, the productive results of the historic Summit of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf were highlighted. The results of this summit served as a significant impetus for further cooperation in key areas such as trade, transport, agriculture, industrial collaboration, development of green energy, digital economy, and innovation.

Special attention was paid to the importance of implementing several initiatives proposed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, presented at the First Meeting of the C5+ countries, the Gulf States in Jeddah, including the signing of an Agreement on Friendship, Regional Connectivity and Cooperation, the creation of an Investor Council and the formation of a single visa-free tourist space called “Gulf – Central Asia”, as well as the upcoming event – the Second Summit of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Gulf countries in Samarkand in 2025.

Essential steps towards strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia were also noted against the background of the successful implementation of the initiatives of the President of Uzbekistan, implemented on a bilateral basis. Thus, partnerships in the tourism sector are under active development. In 2023, the number of tourists from Uzbekistan reached an impressive 500 thousand people.

At the meeting, special attention was also paid to the issue of visa regulation. The innovation, which allows Uzbekistan tourists to obtain an electronic visa to visit Saudi Arabia, is an important step. This multiple-entry visa, allowing tourists to stay in the country for up to 90 days, is valid for a year.

The strategic importance of this area of cooperation for both countries was also emphasized, and it was noted that 28 mutual air flights are currently carried out weekly. It is planned to increase this figure to 50 flights per week.

Following the meeting, the parties noted the importance of increasing cooperation between expert and analytical communities of Central Asia and the Gulf countries and also agreed to establish partnerships between IICA and leading analytical centers of Saudi Arabia.

G.Khonnazarov, UzA