Expert: Uzbekistan to be able to diversify its exports by supplying uranium to France

Expanding uranium supplies from Uzbekistan to France will allow the country to significantly diversify its export markets, economist and independent researcher Ulugbek Kamaletdinov told Report.

The expert reminded that since the end of 2019, a joint venture for the exploration and production of uranium, created jointly with the leader of the French nuclear industry Orano, has been operating in Uzbekistan.

"Exploration is also being carried out at promising sandstone-type uranium sites - Northern and Southern Jengeldy; first production is expected here by 2024. Further development of a strategy and concept for the formation of added value is expected," he said.

Kamaletdinov noted that Uzbekistan is gradually filling its market niche in the European uranium market.

"In 2022, Uzbekistan increased uranium exports to the European Union by 2.71 times to 441 tons. This shows that such supplies have already been sufficiently developed technically," the economist believes.