Uzbekistan signs agreement for local drone production

Uzbekistan has signed an agreement with the Malaysian company Meraque on the localized production of drones. The Ministry of Agriculture reported this.

According to the ministry, cooperation between Uzbekistan and Malaysia in several areas is currently being established in the agricultural sector. For this purpose, a delegation consisting of officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, heads of Tashkent and Kashkadarya regions, districts, and clusters is on a business trip to Malaysia.

During the visit, it was agreed to launch practical cooperation in areas such as the production of smart agricultural technologies and drones, rice farming, fishing, rubber cultivation, fruit and vegetable, and silk export. In particular, an agreement was signed with the Meraque company on the localized production of smart agricultural machinery and drones on the territory of the Research Institute of Agricultural Mechanization in the Yangiyul district of the Tashkent region.

In addition, based on an agreement signed between the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute and the Center for Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, seeds of salt and drought-resistant, black, long, and aromatic rice varieties created by Malaysian breeders will be imported for experimental planting and propagation in Uzbekistan. At the same time, seeds of "Devzira" rice grown in Uzbekistan will be sent to Malaysia.

"In cooperation with the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia and the 'Uzbekbaliqsanoat' Association, intensive fish farming, bio floc, and shrimp farming projects will be launched in Uzbekistan based on new Malaysian technologies. The export of fruits, vegetables, and silk products grown in Uzbekistan will be launched through the development of cooperation with the Malaysian Agricultural Marketing Agency," the report states.

In addition, an agreement was reached with the Malaysian organization Jakim to organize training courses for Uzbek farmers and entrepreneurs on obtaining a Halal certificate.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan Alisher Shukurov made a presentation on these initiatives and investment projects at the Uzbekistan-Malaysia Business Forum held in Malaysia.

It should be recalled that yesterday, on February 5, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid an official visit to Malaysia and signed a joint statement with the Prime Minister of the country Anwar Ibrahim on deepening bilateral cooperation on the path to a Strategic Partnership. The following documents were also adopted:

• Agreement on cooperation in the field of assessing the compliance of products with "halal" standards
• Agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs affairs
• Agreement on cooperation in the field of higher education
• Agreement on cooperation in the field of healthcare
• Agreement on cooperation in the field of culture
• Agreement on cooperation in the field of forensic expertise
• Agreement on academic and diplomatic cooperation
• Protocol on cooperation in the development of "smart" cities
• Joint plan for deepening partnership in the fight against corruption in 2025-2026