Karimov made the remarks in Tashkent before traveling to Moscow to attend a summit of the Eurasian Economic Community that is scheduled to start on 25 January.
Karimov said Gazprom's investment will be allocated to various gas-sector projects, including seven exploration projects in the Aral Sea.
Karimov's remarks come after a meeting last week with Gazprom chief executive Aleksei Miller, at which Miller said Gazprom will pay 25 percent more for Uzbek natural-gas exports.
(UzA, AP, Interfax)