According to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev “On measures of ensuring accelerated development of tourism industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan” of December 2, 2016, tourism is defined as a strategic branch of the economy of Uzbekistan. Program of priority measures on development of tourism for 2018-2019 was approved by the Resolution of the President of August 16, 2017.

The first International Investment Forum which will be held from 19 to 21 November 2018 in Tashkent is the embodiment of high attention paid by Head of Uzbekistan to the development of tourism.

In the modern world, tourism is seen as a socio-economic phenomenon that exerts a direct and indirect influence on the development of all related infrastructure. Tourist sphere is based on a high level of development of transport, social sphere and services, which, in the final analysis, turns it into a highly profitable branch of the economy. Uzbekistan possessing a rich cultural and historical heritage and natural resources has a huge untapped potential and reserves for the further development of tourism.

In order to expand international cooperation in the field of tourism development, attracting direct investments in this sphere, propaganda of the country’s tourism potential among potential investors and tourists, the first International Investment Forum in the sphere of tourism is held.

The organizers of the First International Investment Forum in the sphere of tourism are the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Tourism Development, State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on investments, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Trade, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan.

At the Forum is expected to attract investors from Europe and Asia, representatives of international financial institutions, foreign potential investors, international tourism organizations, leading tourism companies, experts and specialists in this field, heads of large domestic and foreign companies. At the event, hotels and restaurants, museums, insurance companies, transport and logistics sphere, cultural and entertainment institutions will present their services.

At the framework of the Forum:

– providing information on the tourism potential of the country, reforms implemented in this area, including privileges and preferences granted to business entities;

– familiarization of the Forum participants with investment projects in the tourism industry, including presentation of information on the free tourist zone “Charvak”, tourist zones “Samarkand city” and “Kadimiy Bukhoro”, as well as small tourist zones in Surkhandarya region;

– organization of visits to the Forum by the regions of the country for acquaintance with the projects on the creation of tourist infrastructure facilities, potential for attracting investments, directly on the ground;

– creation of a platform for discussion of further development of the country’s tourism industry, establishment of cooperation with tourism entities, including with foreign investors and international organizations.

– the achievement with the Forum participants of concrete results, agreements and firm contracts for the implementation of projects.

In order to implement measures for the qualitative organization and holding of the Forum, the Organizing Committee for Training and the holding of the first International Investment Forum in the field of tourism.

In addition, regional organizing committees have been established under the personal guidance of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regional hokims and the city of Tashkent. There will be presentations of projects in the field of tourism, prepared for investors “on a turn-key basis” and a list of projects offered to foreign investors was formed.