Uzbekistan and Japan discussed expanding investment cooperation in banking, finance, real estate, tourism and infrastructure. This was reflected in the statement by the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan following a meeting between Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Ilzat Kasimov and Ryuji Suzuki, president of Japan's Proud Partners. The talks, held on July 28, also focused on broadening the activities of the Uzbekistan Proud Academy training center in the city of Angren, which was established by Proud Partners to support workforce development and skills training. Proud Partners specializes in international workforce training, recruitment of foreign specialists under Japan's Specified Skilled Worker program, consulting services and investments. Through the Uzbekistan Proud Academy, the company provides vocational training aimed at preparing Uzbek workers for employment opportunities in Japan.