Islam Karimov on 29 September sent a message to the opening of an investors\' conference organized by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in Tashkent promising that Uzbekistan is taking measures to improve its investment climate. Uzbekistan joined the IDB earlier this month. More than 100 potential investors from IDB member states are attending the conference, which is focusing on investment opportunities in Uzbekistan. Karimov\'s message said the Uzbek government has already created a legal framework favorable to foreign investors and cited tourism, transportation, and humanitarian aid as the priority sectors in which Uzbekistan is seeking cooperation in the immediate future. Deputy Prime Minister and Economics Minister Rustam Azimov in his keynote speech told conference participants that Uzbekistan is ahead of schedule in introducing full convertibility of its currency and cited recent reforms intended to encourage the private sector, including private farming. (Interfax)