A little more than 17 years have passed since the moment of appropriation of State independence by the Republic of Uzbekistan. Having taken the road of rapid social and economic changes, during this time the country has managed to make a major step in its development. Positive dynamics of GDP is observed in Uzbekistan, which is a reflection of positive character of reforms conducted in the country.

The Republic of Uzbekistan has a major potential for prospective development on the global scale. Among the factors which encourage the strengthening of integration of Uzbekistan into the world economic system are the following:

• Advantageous geographical position of the Republic on the Eurasian Continent;
• Stable political environment in the country;
• Major land, raw materials and plant resources;
• Major export potential;
• Major human potential and fast-growing human resources;
• Availability of developed industrial infrastructure.

Uzbekistan possesses strategical raw material resources: oil and gas, iron ores, non-ferrous ores, precious metals. The volume of the explored coal reserves in the Republic totals more than 2 billion tons. The total raw-material potential of the country is estimated to be $3.3 trillion.

Uzbekistan is well known for its reserves and production of precious and rare metals — gold, silver, uraneus and others, as well as copper, lead, zinc, molybdenum, wolfram, lithium as well as non-metallurgical raw materials (china clay, calcium fluoride, feldspar, silica sand) which serve for manufacturing of porcelain and faience production, cement and other production, competitive on internal and external markets.

The Republic of Uzbekistan is the main producer of cotton and supplier of its products to the countries of CIS. The country occupies the 5th position in the world on cotton production and the 2nd on its export.

The scale of integration of Uzbekistan in the globalizing world economy can be measured on the basis of analysis of the geography of global and regional inflow of foreign direct investment.

At the present moment more than 3000 companies with participation of foreign capital from more than 86 countries conduct their activity on the territory of Uzbekistan. The leading investors are the EU states. Presently, the representatives of more than 147 companies from the EU-member states are accredited to the country. 480 enterprises with foreign capital participation and mainly that of EU companies are currently active on the territory of the Republic. 114 out of them have European capital share up to 100%.

The Republic has signed agreements on provision of most favorable treatment with 38 states. The priority directions of foreign investment attraction to Uzbekistan are the following:

• Extraction and production of main types of hydrocarbon raw materials;
• Scientific and technical progress promotion and adoption of resourcesaving technologies;
• Processing of cotton and silk, production of yarn and textiles, knitted fabric, apparel and carpets as well as readymade clothes.

Taking this background into account, the Republic of Uzbekistan is highly attractive for investment for international companies. High rate of economical development as well as favorable political environment make investment into the economy of Uzbekistan a very perspective enterprise.