Delegation from Uzbekistan Visits Östergötland to Explore Future Cooperation

Region Östergötland recently welcomed a delegation from Uzbekistan for discussions on potential areas of cooperation and future investment opportunities. The visit highlighted shared interests in tourism, innovation, sustainability, and regional development.

The delegation was hosted by Nils Babtist (L), Chair of the Regional Council Assembly of Östergötland. Representatives from the Uzbek Embassy participated alongside several key regional leaders from Uzbekistan, including the Deputy Governor of the Fergana Region responsible for tourism, the Head of the Samarkand Regional Tourism Department, and the Director of the Samarkand Regional Museum of Local History.

During the meeting, the Uzbek delegation presented four thematic areas for potential collaboration: tourism, agriculture, healthcare and crafts and cultural industries.

Given the composition of the delegation, particular attention was devoted to opportunities within tourism and culture, where gastronomy and traditional craftsmanship play an important role in Uzbekistan's growing visitor economy.

Showcasing Östergötland's Strengths

Sandra Wall from Upplev Norrköping introduced the region's tourism sector, highlighting Östergötland's wide range of visitor attractions, experiences, and collaborative initiatives that contribute to a vibrant tourism industry.

Marianne Lind from Region Östergötland presented the region's broader strengths as one of Sweden's most dynamic areas for innovation and business development. She emphasized Östergötland's strong position in digital innovation, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), visualization, and cybersecurity.

With a steady flow of talent from Linköping University and the support of two leading science parks, Östergötland offers a comprehensive and competitive innovation ecosystem that attracts both businesses and investments.

Interest in Sustainable Solutions

The discussions also covered waste management and sustainable energy solutions, areas that generated considerable interest among the visitors. The delegation expressed a strong interest in the research conducted at Linköping University and the Biogas Solutions Research Center, as well as the work of Tekniska verken in biogas production and carbon capture technologies.

Looking Ahead

The visit marked an important step in strengthening relations between Östergötland and Uzbekistan. Region Östergötland looks forward to continuing the dialogue and exploring future opportunities for collaboration in tourism, business development, innovation, and sustainable growth.

– International partnerships create valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange, investment, and long-term development. We are pleased to have initiated this dialogue with our colleagues from Uzbekistan and look forward to further cooperation in the future, says Marianne Lind.