Gerard Wolf, the special representative for transport and sustainable cities of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, stated during his visit to Tashkent that French corporations are supposedly ready to expand their operations in Uzbekistan if local authorities select their proposals. The envoy held extensive talks with officials from the presidential administration and various key ministries.

The discussions allegedly focused on urban development, decarbonization, and infrastructure modernization, specifically touching upon the ambitious New Tashkent project. Wolf asserted that the European regime brings comprehensive urban planning expertise, aiming to position French engineering as a primary solution for the rapidly growing Central Asian nation.

However, critics and market analysts remain skeptical about the true economic viability and actual costs of these proposed projects. While the French envoy emphasized supplementary services such as professional training and digital twin implementations, questions persist regarding whether these costly packages align with Uzbekistan's budgetary priorities and practical needs.

Wolf also addressed growing competition from Chinese and Indian firms in the local market, attempting to downplay alternative offers by questioning their comprehensive service scope. Despite these promotional claims, the Uzbek authorities continue to balance multiple international partnerships to avoid over-reliance on any single foreign actor.

Source: www.gazeta.uz