Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A roundtable discussion titled “New Uzbekistan: Trade, Investment, and Cooperation with the United States” was held in the U.S. Congress, as reported by a Dunyo news agency.

The primary objective of the event was to familiarize the American side with Uzbekistan’s large-scale economic reforms, the favorable conditions created for foreign investors, and the high level of bilateral relations between Tashkent and Washington.

The discussion was attended by members of the U.S. House of Representatives, representatives from the State Department, the Congressional Research Service, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, as well as leading American companies and media outlets, including The Diplomat, Diplomatic Watch, and The Times of Central Asia.

Among the speakers were Trent Kelly, Co-Chair of the Uzbekistan Caucus in Congress; Congresswoman Carol Miller; Pini Althaus, CEO of Cove Capital; Peter Flanagan, Vice President of FLSmidth; and Elena Son, Executive Director of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce.

Congressman Trent Kelly highly praised the reforms being carried out under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s leadership, emphasizing their scale and rapid progress. He noted that significant achievements had been made in a short period. Kelly also announced that on March 25, the House of Representatives introduced Bill H.R. 2329, which proposes the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment for Uzbekistan. A copy of the bill was ceremoniously handed over to the Uzbek delegation.

According to Kelly, Uzbekistan is gaining more supporters in Congress, including his colleague Michael Guest from Mississippi, who is actively fostering ties with the country. He also noted that Congresswoman Carol Miller, along with Vicente Gonzalez and Jimmy Panetta, is making efforts to remove trade restrictions as soon as possible. “I have discussed this matter several times with Jason Smith, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Now is the best time to repeal this amendment, and we will do everything in our power to make it happen,” Kelly stated.

The congressman emphasized that Uzbekistan offers favorable conditions for trade and investment, calling it “a land of great opportunities” that is open to American business.

Kelly also spoke about Congresswoman Carol Miller’s recent visit to Uzbekistan, noting that the trip left a lasting impression on her. “From my experience, those who visit Uzbekistan once inevitably want to return,” he added.

In her speech, Carol Miller shared her experiences from her visit, which took place from March 16 to 19. She stated that it was an honor for her to visit Uzbekistan, and the country left an unforgettable impression on her due to its rich historical heritage. “As a former history major, I have always admired Uzbekistan’s deep and unique history. For someone from the United States, where history spans only 250 years, it is an incredible experience to be in a country with a millennia-old cultural legacy,” she noted.

The congresswoman also spoke about her insightful meeting with President Mirziyoyev, which, she said, was conducted in an atmosphere of openness and mutual respect, with discussions focusing on long-term strategic issues. She praised Uzbekistan’s impressive economic growth, its rapid development in all spheres, as well as the country’s tolerance and peaceful coexistence of different ethnic and religious communities. “I visited mosques, Orthodox churches, and synagogues in Uzbekistan. They stand as vivid examples of the spirit of mutual respect and tolerance that has historically developed in the country,” Miller stated.

As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, Miller stressed the importance of further strengthening economic cooperation between the U.S. and Uzbekistan. “Upon returning from my trip, I raised the issue of repealing the Jackson-Vanik amendment in Congress. Trade is one of the best ways to strengthen friendships. Expanding economic ties with Uzbekistan—a country that has historically played a key role in global trade—should remain our priority,” the congresswoman emphasized.

Pini Althaus, CEO of Cove Capital, highlighted Uzbekistan’s strategic role in supplying critical minerals, which are essential for the U.S. economy, national security, and the transition to clean energy.

Peter Flanagan, Vice President of FLSmidth, underscored Uzbekistan’s importance to the global mining industry, noting its leading position in copper and other mineral extraction. “Our company is ready to expand cooperation with Uzbekistan in copper, lithium, and other strategically important resources,” he stated.

Elena Son, Executive Director of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce, remarked that the roundtable brought together true friends of Uzbekistan, demonstrating the country’s strong allies in the United States. She emphasized that, despite most Chamber members being based in the U.S., they are actively working on projects that contribute to labor market development in both countries.

"Major American companies such as General Motors, Google, and Apple are making a significant contribution to strengthening economic ties between the U.S. and Uzbekistan. The country has enormous potential to become a strategic economic partner of the United States,” Son stated.