TASHKENT, AUG 24 (DNA) -“Hyatt Regency Tashkent” hosted the opening ceremony of the I World Influencers Congress, .

The event in the capital city was attended by popular opinion leaders, influencers, bloggers, media personalities and other well-known figures of the global network.

Delivering a welcome speech, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Aziz Abdukhakimov stated that thanks to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s wise foreign policy, Uzbekistan is opening to the world.

“One of the main indicators of this policy is the simplification of visa regime for tourists. We have established a visa-free regime for 65 countries and planning to further expand it. From January 1, 2020, the list will include another 20 states and the total number will reach 85,” Abdukhakimov said.\

According to him, the world-class influencers from more than 40 countries have agreed to attend the event completely free of charge.

“These well-known bloggers are paid for their services if they contribute to boosting the tourism potential of a certain country, but they agreed to come to Uzbekistan without charge. We are only covering their travel and accommodation-related costs,” the Deputy PM stated.

Attending the event, Deputy Director of the Agency for Information and Mass Communications Saida Mirziyoyeva also made a speech and stressed the importance of the congress in further promoting the image of Uzbekistan in the world arena.

“Let me underline that your participation in this Congress will significantly increase awareness of Uzbekistan, the beauty and unique hospitality of our people, and connect us to the world in ways we could never imagine,” Saida Mirziyoyeva said.

The forum will last until August 28. Tomorrow, August 24, the guests will start their three-day tour to ancient cities of Uzbekistan – Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand.