To be held at Westminster International University in Tashkent, the workshop will focus on international trade policy options for Uzbekistan, and also examine the relationship between trade and economic development in other Asian countries.

The workshop has been convened at the request of the Government of Uzbekistan.

“The workshop will encourage officials to consider policy options for economic development, boosting access to market, and increasing potential to generate employment opportunities in Uzbekistan,” says Hong Wei, ADB’s Country Director for Uzbekistan.

The analytical work and policy workshops are supported by an ADB’s technical assistance project: Policy and Institutional Reform Support.

The project aim is to enhance policy formulation capacity and to accelerate Uzbekistan’s transition to a market-oriented economy.

“International and national experts will present cases of country experience in trade and development in Uzbekistan and selected Asian countries, highlighting roles of trade in economic development during the period of booms and crises,” says Kiyoshi Taniguchi, Country Economist. “Because of on-going global financial crisis, this workshop will shed light on how trade policy can help reduce the impact of crises.”

ADB based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members - 48 from the region. In 2008, it approved US$10.5 billion of loans, US$811,4 million of grant projects, and technical assistance amounting to US$274.5 million.

Westminster International University in Tashkent, which will be acting as academic partners for the project, was established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan in 2002 and since then been delivering UK accredited degrees and is increasingly engaged in research to support the development of the country.