TASHKENT, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan aims to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2026, said Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev Tuesday.
Mirziyoyev reiterated the goal in a speech he delivered at the fourth Tashkent International Investment Forum.
In the speech, the president said that it is essential to ensure a level playing field for each state within global production chains.
"Undoubtedly, the World Trade Organization plays a key role in this regard. Therefore, we have set the goal to become a member of this organization next year and we are actively working with our partners. To this end we have harmonized dozens of laws and hundreds of standards to international requirements, and this year we will complete this process in full," Mirziyoyev said.
The president further said that in the current challenging environment, Uzbekistan's primary focus is on maintaining domestic economic stability.
"Our gross domestic product has doubled over the past eight years. We have set a goal to increase it to 200 billion (U.S.) dollars by 2030. Last year, the volume of investments in the national economy reached 35 billion dollars, and exports amounted to 27 billion dollars. This is also a practical result of the Tashkent International Investment Forum, now being held for the fourth consecutive year," he said.
Uzbekistan is taking all necessary measures to turn the principle of "New Uzbekistan -- a country of vast opportunities for investments" into practical accomplishments.
The fourth Tashkent International Investment Forum is taking place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital, from June 9-12. ■
