Diary
Dates: 20-24 January, 2025
Visa Process: None needed
Visit Purpose: Invited to the Uzbekistan Embassy as part of my role as an Export Champion for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The first time to discuss international cooperation and the second time to celebrate Uzbekistan culture.
Fun Facts
Population 38m (3m in Tashkent)
Notable: Republic of Uzbekistan, is a doubly landlocked country. Landlocked countries may be bordered by a single country having direct access to the high seas, two or more such countries, or be surrounded by other landlocked countries, making a country doubly landlocked. It is surrounded by five countries: Kazakhstan to the north, Kyrgyzstan to the northeast, Tajikistan to the southeast, Afghanistan to the south, and Turkmenistan to the southwest, making it one of only two doubly landlocked countries on Earth, the other being Liechtenstein. (Wikipedia)
Land area: 447,400 km
GDP (PPP): 425 billion USD
Per capita: 11,500 USD
Arrival
I’d never been to an embassy before so it seemed like a big occasion. I arrived in London and went to Harvey Nichols to see if I could find a briefcase fitting for the occasion. I found a lovely Sandro briefcase (which unfortunately broke just one year later – I’m sure they time these things!).
The Embassy
It felt very exclusive getting to walk into an embassy with some initial checks at the door to make sure you’re on the list.
Inside there’s a seminar room for presentations with an audience, a hall, which on my second visit was the lunch room and a meeting room. It was very strange to see beyond the official photos. There’s two leather chairs with a flag behind each one. It’s very much the cliché photos seen in the media. It’s strange to see that but then to see a rather ordinary room around it but it was still very impressive and official feeling regardless.
Work
It’s a real pleasure to be an Export Champion for the Department of Business and Trade (DBT). I participate in launch events (here for the CPTPP), talks and training sessions as well as getting to advise UK businesses on how to export around the world and what pitfalls to avoid and what resources to exploit.
A very rewarding opportunity!
