The Executive Director of the Association of Soft Drinks and Juice Producers (UzBev) Alfiya Musina, during the meeting between the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and business leaders on August 20, said that Shavkat Mirziyoyev deserves to be a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize for uniting the peoples of the Central Asia and the Caucasus.

She noted that the organization united nine companies, two of which (Coca-Cola Ichimligi Uzbekistan and International Beverages Tashkent - the manufacturer of Pepsi and other drinks) entered the top 10 private taxpayers in the country. "These are two companies that are transnational and bring global expertise to Uzbekistan."

"We are contributing to the development of SMEs. There is a growth trend for small and medium-sized companies that produce drinks, juices and water. Only one company creates an average of 500 jobs per year. The volume of investments in Uzbekistan in 2024 alone topped $160 million. These are private investments that make a certain contribution to the economy of Uzbekistan,” she said.

The business-lady stressed that over the past two years she had been amazed by the president’s attention to the problems of beverage producers, and saw how deeply and thoroughly he had studied the tasks on the agenda.

“Today I was amazed by the scale of this event. The members of the Cabinet of Ministers, senators are sitting in the second and third rows, while businessmen and entrepreneurs are sitting in the first row. I have never seen such a format. What does this mean? About the role you provide, the role the state pays to entrepreneurs and business. Thank you very much for this,” Alfiya Musina said.

She then proposed nominating the president of Uzbekistan for the Nobel Peace Prize.

“If I had my way, I would have nominated you for the Nobel Peace Prize simply because you united the fraternal peoples of Central Asia and the Caucasus. You say that you have "chemistry" with the President of Kazakhstan - no. Shavkat Miromonovich, you have "chemistry" with all the presidents and with all the leaders of neighboring and non-neighboring states. We thank you for this," she noted.

She thanked the president for his attention and the opportunity to attend the event, and also wished: "Live 100 years and be with us. If you are with us, we are not afraid of anything."

Shavkat Mirziyoyev, commenting on her remarks, said: "I have such a heartfelt proposal: with today's decision, we will award Alfia with the "Dustlik" order. If the company brings in 160 million in investments, this says a lot. I am very grateful to you."

He expressed confidence that the state award will give energy and become an incentive for further development and attracting new investments.

On August 21, the president signed a decree on awarding a group of entrepreneurs, where Alfia Musina is among the seven awarded.

In June, Alfiya Musina reported at an open dialogue in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry that 5,000 refrigerators and freezers were delayed at customs; they had not been certified, despite the president's order to simplify procedures. After the problem was voiced, the entrepreneurs received the goods.