BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 17. Czechia is closely
looking into the participation of its companies in projects
eligible for funding under the Global Gateway – an EU investment
strategy aimed at supporting sustainable infrastructure initiatives
in Central Asia, Czech Ambassador to Uzbekistan Lubomír Frebort
told Trend in an
exclusive interview.
“I am talking specifically about projects targeting the areas of
digital connectivity, transport, critical raw materials, and the
water, energy, and climate sector,” he said.
According to the ambassador, Czechia has expressed keen interest
in Uzbekistan’s rich reserves of various strategic minerals,
including uranium and copper.
“This priority is in line with the European strategy of
diversifying its value chains and finding more reliable sourcing of
critical raw materials and other resources to help secure
resilience and sustainable transformation of the Czech industry,”
Lubomír Frebort noted.
He recalled that in 2023, Czechia and Uzbekistan agreed to
institutionalize their cooperation in the mining and geology sector
by establishing a joint working group.
“In return, Czech companies are offering cutting-edge mining
technologies and equipment to support the extraction and processing
of these resources. Earlier this year, a business delegation
comprising leading Czech companies and institutions in mining and
geology visited Uzbekistan to explore cooperation firsthand. During
this mission, I personally had the opportunity to discuss these
priorities with the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology of
Uzbekistan,” the ambassador said.
The official emphasized that the Czech Republic’s cooperation
with the EU in general is a mutually beneficial relationship.
“It’s important to emphasize that cooperation with the EU in
general, and with Czechia in particular, is truly a win-win
arrangement. Czech companies pride themselves on building equitable
partnerships and would never seek to impose unfair conditions on
their Uzbek counterparts,” he said.
Speaking about the transport sector, Lubomír Frebort said that
railway cooperation has been a traditional focus of bilateral
economic relations.
“We are currently working intensively on one flagship project to
be completed in this sector. Additionally, Czech companies are
interested in participating in contracts such as expanding
or/modernizing the tram fleet in Samarkand, trolleybus fleet in
Urgench, or helping grow the Tashkent metro lines,” he stated.
“Czech companies stand ready to contribute their expertise to
the development of airport and air traffic control-related
infrastructure as well. Apart from ongoing supplies of short-range
transport L-410 aircraft produced by the Czech manufacturer to
Uzbekistan Airways, there is also growing interest from a Czech
manufacturer specializing in smaller private aircraft, suitable for
recreational flying or activities such as parachuting,” the
ambassador added.
Lubomír Frebort welcomed the upcoming resumption of direct
flights between Tashkent and two Czech cities.
“Finally, we are pleased that direct flights between Tashkent
and Prague and between Tashkent and Karlovy Vary are set to resume
for the upcoming summer season. These direct connections will
further strengthen economic and cultural ties between our
countries,” he said.
The ambassador also pointed out the Czech support for
Uzbekistan’s access to European markets, particularly through CE
certification and capacity building.
“One concrete example is the involvement of a Czech company in
helping Uzbekistan upgrade its laboratories and capacities in
metrology and standardization to European standards – crucial steps
for companies intending to export to the EU, where precision and
compliance with standards are essential,” he explained.
“Institutions such as the Czech Metrology Institute are also
engaged in capacity-building efforts, including training programs
in Czechia for Uzbek experts to enhance their technical expertise.
In addition, CzechInvest offers a comprehensive suite of services
to support foreign investors and exporters, helping bridge the gap
between Uzbekistan and the European market,” Lubomír Frebort
noted.
The ambassador said Czechia sees significant prospects in a wide
range of sectors.
“There are many sectors where Czechia can offer solutions and
know-how, such as mining, transport, water management, urban
infrastructure and smart cities solutions, health-tech, food
industry, and defense,” he said.
“Czech export-oriented businesses are well-positioned in each of
these areas and eager to establish new, mutually beneficial
partnerships. As Uzbekistan continues to modernize and diversify
its economy, Czechia is committed to being a long-term partner in
this transformative journey,” the ambassador concluded.