The first workshop aimed to present and discuss first OECD findings on ways to improve the legal environment for business in Uzbekistan. The workshop was opened by Mr Aleksey Sim, Head of the Investment Climate Division at the Ministry of Foreign Investment and Trade (MFIT), Mr Francois Begeot, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, and Mr Arnault Prêtet, OECD project manager, who all acknowledged the fast pace of reforms in Uzbekistan and the need to enforce those changes in practice.

Mr Stephen Thomsen presented the OECD methodology of investment policy reviews and the first results of the OECD FDI Restrictiveness Index for Uzbekistan. He also highlighted that the OECD work will take into account the upcoming new law on Investments. The OECD also discussed with participants the issues linked to the legal environment for domestic businesses, underlining that issues related to taxation, licenses and permits and economic courts appeared to be the most pressing following consultations with businesses. Uzbekistan has recently created an agency for SMEs that would welcome OECD support. Mr Tornike Zirakishvili shared the experience of Georgia in investment promotion and in SME development in the country that has been successful in developing the role of the private sector as an engine for growth. Participants agreed to reconvene in February to agree on the priority reforms for the country.

The second workshop discussed the progress made by Uzbekistan on export promotion for SMEs since the latest recommendations provided by the OECD in 2017. It also helped build capabilities of key local stakeholders through the presentation and discussion of the experience of Georgia led by Mr Zirakishvili. Active discussions took place between participants that agreed on the need to continue the reforms, in particular to better reach out to businesses and to develop new financial and training programmes for potential exporters. Participants welcomed the plans to organise new workshops on export promotion next year with the OECD and experts.

The OECD team also carried out a series of bilateral meetings with key stakeholders on regulatory and business reforms in the country, including the Business Ombudsman, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the new SME agency and the MFIT, as well as the Uzbek Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the American Chamber of Commerce and Club France. The OECD also co-ordinated with international partners such as the EBRD and the World Bank. Data and information on new laws were gathered and ideas of priority reforms were brought forward by the OECD.